How is the Unemployment Rate Calculated?

The unemployment rate attracts a lot of attention as a key indicator of Oregon’s economy, but what goes into this figure?

Click on the chart below to read about the official unemployment rate.

There are a number of other measures of labor underutilization as well. This includes the U-6 rate, which includes workers that are employed part time for economic reasons, but would rather have a full time job. Read more about Oregon's alternative measures in Tracy Morrissette's article: Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization for Oregon.