Business

Gallup: Unemployment Hits 9.1 Percent

Gallup reports that U.S. unemployment, as measured without seasonal adjustment, increased to 9.1 percent in February from 8.6 percent in January and 8.5 percent in December.

Gallup: Unemployment Hits 9.1 PercentPhoto Source: Gallup

“The 0.5-percentage-point increase in February compared with January is the largest such month-to-month change Gallup has recorded in its not-seasonally adjusted measure since December 2010, when the rate rose 0.8 points to 9.6 percent from 8.8 percent in November,” Gallup’s chief economist Dennis Jacobe writes.

“A year ago, Gallup recorded a February increase of 0.4 percentage points, to 10.3 percent from 9.9 percent in January 2011,” he adds.

In addition to Gallup’s reported number of unemployed U.S. workers, they also found that 10.0 percent are “working part time but want full-time work.”

“This percentage is similar to the 10.1 percent in January, but is higher than the 9.6 percent of February 2011,” Jacobe writes.

Gallup: Unemployment Hits 9.1 PercentPhoto Source: Gallup

Take the two together (the unemployed and part-time seeking full-time) and Gallup’s underemployment number increased to 19.1 percent in February from 18.7 percent in January.

Gallup: Unemployment Hits 9.1 PercentPhoto Source: Gallup

This is an improvement from the 19.9 percent seen in February 2011. But how did Gallup gets these results and how do they stack up next to the Government’s stats (oh, also, keep in mind the regular caveats that go along with these type of surveys and their results)?

Jacobe explains [emphases added]:

In mid-February, Gallup reported that its U.S. unemployment rate had increased to 9.0 percent from 8.3 percent in mid-January. The mid-month reading normally provides a relatively good estimate of the government’s unadjusted unemployment rate for the month.

Assuming the government’s unadjusted rate increases — from its 8.8 percent in January — to at least match Gallup’s mid-month measurement for February, then the government should also report an increase in the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for February. If the government’s unadjusted unemployment rate increases to the degree that Gallup’s has from mid-month to mid-month, then the government’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate could show an even larger increase.
…

The consensus forecast, however, is for no change in the government’s unemployment rate. February jobless claims were running at roughly 350,000 during the month, implying a relatively stable unemployment rate. Additionally, Wednesday’s ADP report suggesting that private-sector jobs increased by more than 200,000 in February is also somewhat supportive of a stable unemployment rate forecast.

Regardless of what the government reports, Gallup’s unemployment and underemployment measures show a substantial deterioration since mid-January. In this context, the increase in unemployment as measured by Gallup may, at least partly, reflect growth in the workforce, as more Americans who had given up looking for work become slightly more optimistic and start looking for work again. So while there may be positive signs, the reality Gallup finds is that more Americans are looking for work now than were doing so just six weeks ago.

Click here to read Gallup’s methodology

Comments (75)

1 2
  • reconmarine
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 4:42pm

    So this means that the unemployment numbers that will be released by the corrupt government will show a DROP. The government always says and does the opposite of what the world actually sees.

    Report Post »  
  • Micmac
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 4:37pm

    These numbers may be correct but different areas have different rates. In some areas the rates are 21-22% of people totally out of work…they just don’t go collect unemployment checks. And the black youth in this country is around 50%. This is where NoBama is weak. But the Rs don’t use it as usual.

    Report Post »  
  • P8riot
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 4:10pm

    I just wish one of our candidates had experience as a CEO of a major corporation and had experience in rebuilding broken organizations!

    oh wait… we do…. Romney 2012!

    Report Post » P8riot  
    • Razorhunters
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 5:14pm

      rebuilding…bs.

      try corporate raiding and the destruction of companies and jobs for profit,

      Report Post » Razorhunters  
    • SLUT
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 6:12pm

      Household confidence improved last week to a four-year high as more Americans said the economy was improving and decided it was a good time to shop. YES! IBM hits a record high. YES! My 401K is doing great. YES!

      I take BC, ergo I’m a slut.

      Report Post »  
    • P8riot
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 7:08pm

      @RAZORHUNTERS – Your comment oozes with Obama Class Warfare. You obviously have never had to make an executive decision in your life. You most definitely don’t understand making tough decisions for the survival of the entire company – yes, even at times at the expense of the hourly worker.

      Report Post » P8riot  
    • Micmac
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 7:46pm

      Have friends that were arbitragers in the 80′s and it was all about dis-assembling companies and ripping off profits – at the time we saw it as a pretty ugly business. A lot of people lost their jobs. The companies weren’t in trouble, just under-priced.

      NoBama 2012

      Report Post »  
  • SmokedBrisket
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 4:04pm

    I’m not sure I can take another 8 months of this clown show.

    Report Post »  
  • Slayer
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 3:58pm

    Let‘s just have a look at TODAY in Obama’s America:

    - Gallup: unemployment 9.1%

    - Government sets record monthly deficit of 229 billion

    - Sebelius, running arguably the most powerful government agency quoted as saying “no idea” if Obamacare adds to deficit

    - News hits that Obama trying to make deal with Israel where we give them bunker busters and they wait till after election day to start the war

    - Obama lobbying against Keystone pipeline in favor of wind and solar energy which has proven to be a total disaster

    - Wash Post reports over half of Obama top donors given plum jobs

    - Panetta says ‘international permission’ trumps ‘congressional permission’ for military action

    And this is only today, which is not over yet.

    Report Post » Slayer  
    • Razorhunters
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 5:00pm

      watched panties on c-span…these sobs are traitors to our country and constitution.
      i could not believe that this pos actually said that the military does not need congress approval , only need the un or a group of nations to ok war.

      it is time to take these corrupt criminals down.

      pardon and pacify…feed the tree of liberty.

      Report Post » Razorhunters  
    • JP4JOY
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 6:48pm

      And that‘s just what he’s done domestically, there is a whole wide world out there that he mess in too!

      Report Post » JP4JOY  
  • SheriS
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 3:55pm

    Unfortunately for the people in my county, the unemployment is at 14% and has been for most of the last two years. Factories have shut down, new businesses have closed their doors and it is almost impossible to find a job until Summer arrives here when tourists start returning if that ever happens again. Very sad situation—many full time jobs have hours reduced or a day taken off their week, working only four days a week! Not a pretty picture around here!

    Report Post »  
  • hauschild
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 3:52pm

    Can you people really believe that with this level of unemployment (not counting what isn’t really reported), gas prices, poor real estate market, yada yada yada, that the Marxist continues to sit right around a 50% approval rating? What does this say for half of the American citizens? If 50% are so willing to tank the country for a few extra bucks in their pockets, explain to me how this country is not doomed?

    Seriously, folks. The page has been turned. There is no longer a traditional America. It’s over; finished; kaput. There is absolutely nothing that a Romney term or two is going to do about it.

    I’ll admit, growing up, I didn’t have very much, nor did I really want much. However, every night my head hit the pillow, there were certain truths and things that made this country succeed that went without saying, but lay in my subconscious. It is going to take a LOT of getting used to for me to accept the transformation of this once mightly land.

    Report Post »  
    • P8riot
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 4:12pm

      its not too late brother! We’ll get this thing turned around!

      Report Post » P8riot  
    • Micmac
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 7:51pm

      It’s at 50% because they are the entitled 50% and don’t want to lose it. When they are mad at him it‘s because he doesn’t give them enough.

      NoBama 2012

      Report Post »  
  • Razorhunters
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 3:27pm

    On March 5, the chief law enforcement officials from nine states issued A Report on Obama’s 21 Administration Violations of Law:

    http://rslc.com/_blog/News/post/MEMO_A_Report_on_Obama_Administration_Violations_of_Law/

    “President Obama and his deputies, are the greatest set of lawbreakers that have run the federal government in our lifetimes….
    This administration repeatedly shows disdain for states, federal laws it finds inconvenient, the Constitution and the courts.”
    http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2012/03/state_attorneys_general_report_tackles_obamas_unprecedented_lawbreaking.html

    Report Post » Razorhunters  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 3:19pm

    .
    Do I hear 10%, how bout 11? Really, how high might it go?

    The price of fuel will only get worse, as the spring refinning shut downs get started. We have No Plan. I mean Obama could shove a straw up his behind and have an Energy Policy more effective than the one have now. Cause that much BS should be able to power something……..

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • Outlaw_Josey_Wales
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 3:14pm

    U.S. unemployment 9.1%
    U.S. workers, working part time wanting to work full time 10%
    Total 19.1%
    Now, if we add in all the wellfare deadbeats who have never worked and don’t want to work. The real unemployment numbers could be higher than 25%? worse than the great depression.

    Report Post » Outlaw_Josey_Wales  
    • Slayer
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 3:38pm

      Tomorrow, the official government unemployment numbers come out. They’ll be at oh, 6% and the future will be looking great! Just look at how the media were spinning the bad news today – Limbaugh had an excellent talk on this.

      Report Post » Slayer  
    • TOMSERVO
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 4:29pm

      Except that’s not what unemployment is. Adding other figures to unemployment and then comparing it to old data which was calculated different is extremely unscientific and just not very bright.

      Report Post »  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 5:48pm

      Good point Clint. What is the total number of non-retired working age people who are able to work but are not. THAT is the real number.

      Report Post » dmerwin  
    • TOMSERVO
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 6:11pm

      @DMerwin, no it isn’t! The method for calculating the unemployment rate is

      ((Labor Force ) minus (Number of Employed persons))

      divided by

      (Labor force)

      You guys are describing a completely different measure.

      Report Post »  
  • aChameleon
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 3:12pm

    Unemployment skyrocketed as soon as o-blah-blah won the democratic nomination. To turn it around, we must reverse the order. Once he’s out, the economy will bounce back.

    Report Post » aChameleon  
  • Frankley
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 3:07pm

    The most frightening thing about these charts is that the bottom (!!!THE BOTTOM!!!) of the chart is 8%. Four more years of this … please no *whimpers*.

    Report Post » Frankley  
  • midwesthippie
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 3:05pm

    …unemployment…who cares…what is the contraception denial rate?

    Report Post » midwesthippie  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:56pm

    Unemployment numbers won’t faze obamazombies,they’ll vote for Barry even if he murders someone on national television.The gravy train can’t be stopped for the parasites,they’ll continue draining the host, taxpayers until there’s nothing left.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • turkey13
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 3:14pm

      Here in Pontotoc Co Ok. we are at 4.8%. Home Depot and Solo Cup Co have permanent signs up that say “Now Hireing.” Of course starting pay is only$8.00 an Hr. My sons construction Co starts at $12.00 an Hr. and they can’t keep help. That 4.8% don’t want to work. With continueing unemployment checks I don’t blame them. You get to sleep in – go fishing or party or just sit around and read a book – this is the easy life.

      Report Post »  
    • bleuze
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 4:34pm

      You can quicken the stoppage by refusing to pay your taxes!

      Report Post » bleuze  
  • Jabocx
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:55pm

    George Bush did it!!

    Report Post » Jabocx  
    • Steve28
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 4:14pm

      Remember when Bush was in office how the news media talked about Bush and Cheney being oil people and that is why gas was so high and how unemployment rates of 5% were horrible?

      Report Post »  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 5:49pm

      This is satire, right?

      Report Post » dmerwin  
  • Brontefan
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:46pm

    The media will lie to protect their Marxist-in-Chief.

    Report Post »  
  • flatbroke
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:43pm

    All you will hear outta this incompitant fool is “ I inherited this mess” never will he take responsiblity for ANYTHING, then Obummer will make another speech where he will throw sugar at the problem, that never solves anything. In the mean time I and many others will continue to work at jobs 20-25 hours a week and live off my savings to get by, and gas prices will continue to climb towards 5/ gallon, and i will continue to seek fulltime work to no aval. I am so looking forward to voting him OUT of office in november! Obummer is a disaster!

    Report Post » flatbroke  
  • martinez012577
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:41pm

    Hell yeah!!!! Lets talk about contraceptives or what Rush has called some chick!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post » martinez012577  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:47pm

      Yep the msm are D bags that’s for sure,we’re going down the crapper and they want to talk about that.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • P8riot
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 4:15pm

      seriously- the mainstream media is doing all they can to divert the eyes of the majority

      Report Post » P8riot  
    • Micmac
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 4:34pm

      Yesterday all they talked about was Romney the rich basta rd and Limbaugh being fired.. oh, and how pertty NoBama is. Gotta watch it sometimes to get their perspective.

      NoBama 2012

      Report Post »  
  • conservativejon
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:35pm

    This is Bush’s fault too.

    Report Post »  
    • ModerationIsBest
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:40pm

      Sadly this isn’t a Democrat/Republican thing.

      The way our Government is run now is by fudging a whole lot of numbers to make things seem not as bad.

      It is all about keeping the system churning. Keep people consuming, so the system can stay afloat.

      Once people stop consuming as much, the system crumbles and is difficult to rebuild.

      Report Post »  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:53pm

      Orwellianly named MODERATION….is the number fudging really the problem? Or is it a sitting president that’s inept, has choked off loans to the private sector, assaults employers with regulations and taxes and chooses to pander to his backers by trying to create a market where there isn’t one (green energy) and in doing so squanders billions of tax payer dollars while trying to create winners and losers?
      Gallup has recently reported that small business owners “are most likely to say complying with government regulations is the most important problem facing them” right now, topping consumer confidence in the economy and lack of consumer demand. http://www.gallup.com/poll/150287/Gov-Regulations-Top-Small-Business-Owners-Problem-List.aspx

      Report Post »  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 5:47pm

      Have to agree with Avenger on this. WHO is the president NOW? Who had control of the entire government for the 2009 and 2010? Bush had a role? Okay, then so did every president going back to FDR and further but there are gaps prior to FDR where the government was responsible. As I recall Bush had a Democrat house and senate in the years that he had his biggest deficits. Clinton, got credit for the Contract with America and used the end of the cold war to shrink the military to create a surplus, however transient. The real reason for the continued state of the economy is that the liberal Democrats will not budge on regulations and tax reform. 3 years of tax reform and shrinking regulations to those that are necessary and not a political statement would have changed a lot.

      Report Post » dmerwin  
  • TOMSERVO
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:25pm

    Of COURSE it did, it’s Gallup! Always conveniently providing right wing blowhard talking points.

    Report Post »  
    • wboehmer
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:42pm

      So, let me get this straight . . .

      It’s a “talking point” when the unemployment rate is negative for Worst-President-Ever Obama, but it’s “recovery” when it favors the president.

      I just want to be sure I’m using the correct terms.

      Report Post »  
    • TOMSERVO
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:51pm

      Yes yes, that ought to be fine for you. Good job!

      Report Post »  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:54pm

      Yes TOMMY…it‘s a talking point that a record number of Americans have dropped out of the workforce during Obama’s tenure. You’re an idiot.

      Report Post »  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 3:02pm

      Tommy don‘t you know your Marxist POS president’s cronies are cooking the books at the labor Dept.to make your boy look good.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • TOMSERVO
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 3:11pm

      How do you know? Your view is that the president is cooking the books. My view is that Gallup polls are regularly skewed significantly from the other polls in whatever direction is most appealing to the right wing.

      Guess we’ll disagree on this one. Unless you can show me some kind of proof that validates your silly position.

      Report Post »  
    • Mark0331
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 3:39pm

      Tomservo, a little heads up, the Department of Commerce is a Cabinet level agency..who appoints the Cabinet?..This isn‘t a Gallup or ’Party’ thing. The Secretary of Commerce is appointed by whom?

      Report Post » Mark0331  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 3:45pm

      LOL…good one TOMMY….Gallup is a partisan group. And aliens crashed at Roswell too right?

      Report Post »  
    • I.Gaspar
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 4:40pm

      You people always have the perfect answer! Conservatives lie, conservatives hate women, George Bush did it….and any criticism we have of progressives , socialists, and marxists only proves we are crazy.
      If the reporting of unemployment rates today by the government were to be done the exact way they were done the day obama started his destruction plan, the rate would be pushing 15%.
      Yes, Obama lies about EVERYTHING and he has only one goal…to destroy this country and then recreate it from the ashes with his idiotic marxist policies and government structure.

      Report Post »  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 5:51pm

      And I suppose an ABC/Washington post would be more palatable for you or does it have to come from Salon or Media Matters?

      Report Post » dmerwin  
    • TOMSERVO
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 6:13pm

      @DMerwin: Absolutely, an ABC poll showing this would be much more trustworthy.

      Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:24pm

    Business people are Republicans… and they are sabotaging the numbers… just to make Obama look bad… never mind that the Price of Gas is increasing and he prohibits Drilling…

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • AvengerK
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:22pm

    sounds like it’s time again for Barry to “pivot” and focus (like a laser) on jobs again. This should be the 9th or 10th pivot for little Barry.

    Report Post »  
    • Mark0331
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:36pm

      Thats Barrys’ nickname on the court…Barry ‘The Pivot’ Obama,… at least he doesn’t cheat at golf.

      Report Post » Mark0331  
  • 83plus
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:22pm

    /sarcasm WHAT! How is this possible? That’s not suppose to happen! /end sarcasm

    How’s that stimulus bill working out now?

    Report Post »  
  • sWampy
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:22pm

    Nobody is going back to work, prices continue to rise, home prices are falling, the only positive is the EIC checks are in, so pending on crap made in China will go up for a few months, and the number of welfare bums booking cruises will soar.

    Report Post »  
  • Mark0331
    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:12pm

    Dems do not care about the numbers. Somehow, someway, they will blame everyone and everything else EXCEPT failed leadership and FAILED policy.

    Report Post » Mark0331  
    • ReDD1706
      Posted on March 8, 2012 at 2:26pm

      Oh yeah, this will be bush’s fault too. Just like everything else.

      Report Post »  
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