Nobody goes out and does a nose count to figure out the unemployment rate. To simplify things somewhat, this is accomplished by drawing samples, making certain assumptions, and running the numbers through statistical modeling algorithms to arrive at the number that is promulgated.
In the US, this number is calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the US Department of Labor.
This is a highly politicized number. There are others that are also politicized such as the inflation rate, non-farm payrolls, and GDP. It is not hard to imagine an administration applying pressure on these agencies to produce numbers that suit the administration’s purposes. In fact the story, possibly apocryphal, is told of President Lyndon Johnson sending preview copies of economic statistics back to the agencies that produced them repeated times until they got those numbers “right.” Then they were released to the public.
It is reasonable to assume that goes on today.
More on page two.
Obama administration is corrupt and dishonest
I was laid off,only drew unemployment fir 16 weeks,which my state said is the limit, and I’m bit getting any assistance of any kind. I gave up looking for job which isn’t good since I live alone and have bills. I can resign for unemployment soon for another 16 weeks but you go through such much c**p to draw so little. Numbers definitely are false.
More misleading unemployment reports
Fed lying again