Dispelling Two Myths About the Unemployment Rate The unemployment rate is the most widely followed and cited economic statistic in the United States. Rates are provided each month for the nation, states, counties, many cities and towns, and other areas. They are produced using a consistent methodology to be comparable from one area to another, and from one period to another. Unemployment rates provide an easy to interpret indication of workforce conditions: low rates or a downward trend is positive; high rates or an upward trend is negative. Though seemingly straightforward, there are many widely held misconceptions or myths about how information on unemployed people is compiled, and who is or is not included. With that in mind, let’s dissect two myths about unemployment statistics. Myth: All jobless people are unemployed In 2017, close to 62 percent of the age 16 and over population in Maine were employed, so 38 percent were not employed. Nationally, about 60 percent were...