Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent to southern Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launched a raid on the Ksar Zaatar neighborhood in western Nabatieh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The tower destroyed by the Israeli occupation in Gaza includes media offices, including Al Mayadeen's bureau.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Four fetuses and three premature babies died at Nasser Medical Complex due to malnutrition
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7

US unemployment claims at their lowest in decades, why?

  • By Al Mayadeen
  • Source: Agencies
  • 11 Dec 2021 23:40
2 Min Read

That statistic includes a seasonal adjustment, without which adjustment, the claims would move in the opposite direction. They rose by about 64,000 from the prior week, a 29% increase.

  • x
  • A help wanted sign is taped to the front of a shop
    A help wanted sign is taped to the front of a shop

Claims for unemployment benefits have dropped to their lowest levels in decades in the US, according to official numbers, as reported by CNBC. However, it seems these numbers are being skewed by labor distortions brought about by the pandemic era.

In the week ending on December 4, for example, there were 184,000 initial claims, according to the US Department of Labor, which is 43,000 less than the week before, and the lowest number since September 6, 1969.

Related News

Moment of truth: Will the US remain committed to Europe’s defense?

Former Biden spox. Matthew Miller says 'Israel' committed war crimes

The data, however, accounts for a seasonal adjustment that takes into account the various times of the year, with layoffs, for example, rising in some sectors in the colder months. Without this adjustment, unemployment claims actually rose by 64,000 last week, meaning by 29%, to a total of 281,000. This is the true, unadjusted number of those that have applied for unemployment benefits.

Why does this happen?

The Department of Labor expected a jump in post-Thanksgiving applications for unemployment, anticipating 42,000 more claims. Though these adjustments are standard practice, COVID-19 is complicating the dynamic, with the rise in cases sidelining workers.

“It’s not obvious why the seasonal adjustment has struggled in the last few weeks, but weekly [seasonal adjustment] is difficult even in normal times,” said Daniel Zhao, a senior economist at career site Glassdoor.

This is why the claims of  "historically low levels" of unemployment should not be taken at face value. Yes, the US labor market seems to be improving, but not to the extent being portrayed in statements. 

  • Unemployment
  • Biden administration
  • economy

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

American far-right activist Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
President Nicolas Maduro gestures to supporters during the inauguration of a monument in China's honor on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, September 3, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Maduro warns of threats, urges 'battle for truth' to defend Venezuela

Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas' political leadership in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Politics

Netanyahu informed Trump before deadly attack in Doha: Reports

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hold a joint press conference at the Prime Minister's Office, during Rubio's visit, in occupied al-Quds, occupied Palestine, Monday, September 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu warns of Israeli isolation, calls to boost self-reliance

Spain axes €700Mln arms deals with 'Israel' over Gaza genocide
Politics

Spain axes €700Mln arms deals with 'Israel' over Gaza genocide

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS