7.3 million 16-64 year olds out of labor force since 2000, unemployment rate 9.3 percent when taken into account

Aug. 5, 2016, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement in response to the latest jobs numbers:

“Since 2000, about 7.3 million 16 to 64 year olds have dropped out of the labor force or not entered on a net basis. If they were included in today’s unemployment report, the unemployment rate would be 9.3 percent instead of 4.9 percent. The failure of the U.S. to create jobs the past 15 years is now all the more deadly as the economy is once again in trouble, only growing at 1 percent annualized after two quarters. When the next recession occurs, millions of more jobs will be lost overseas. Because the economy has not grown robustly, this time Americans will wind up looking for welfare instead of jobs. That’s pathetic. Growth is the answer that eludes us.”

Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 106 or at media@limitgov.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts including ALG President Rick Manning.

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