Defining the Unemployment Rate

How is unemployment defined in the United States? If someone has a job, they’re defined as “employed.” But does that mean that everyone without a job is unemployed? Not exactly. A minor without a job isn’t unemployed. Someone who has been incarcerated also isn’t counted. A retiree, too, does not count toward the unemployment rate. For the official statistics, you have to meet quite a few criteria to be considered unemployed in the U.S. For instance, if you’re without a job, but have actively looked for w