Additional Job Numbers

First if we look at the above, we have plotted:

1. Monthly increase in baseline numbers. This is the population adjusted increase in employment based on a fixed participation rate as of June 2008. That is the "stand still rate".

2. Increase in employment: This is the actual recorded monthly increase.

3. Gap: The difference between baseline and actual.

We see the low period in late 08 and early 09. We have been slightly positive in the past few months but not by much. The recovery is quite slow.

However the above shows the decreasing participation rate by men and women. Men are falling out of the workforce in droves. This is a very troubling sign and it clearly shows no signs of abatement.