Tuesday, October 9, 2012

The unemployment composition matters

(Philippa Dunne of the Liscio Report noted wryly, "Our old friend the eat, drink, and get sick sector (bars and restaurants plus health care) accounted for 52% of total job gains." 

Any job is a good job for someone who is unemployed, but income levels are increased through jobs which have high valued added. The value-added could be measured by either the revenue per employee or profits per employee. In this case, we are not seeing growth in manufacturing jobs or skilled positions, so it is hard to see how this employment report will lead to higher income and then consumption.  

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