Consider the Following Labour Data Compiled by a Government Agency

Essay

Consider the following labour data compiled by a government agency:
June 2019
July 2019
June to July 2019
July 2018 to July 2019
Seasonally adjusted
in thousands
in thousands
change in thousands
Both sexes, 15 years and over
Population
30 466.3
30 508.7
42.4
449.9
Labour force
20 531.5
20 541.0
9.5
340.0
Employment
18 908.8
18898.6
-10.2
443.1
Unemployment
1 622.7
1 642.3
19.6
-93.1
a. Between July 2018 and July 2019, employment has increased by 443,100 workers, but the labour force increased by only 340,000 workers. Explain the difference in these numbers. Is it possible that the increase in labour force is greater than the increase in employment?
b. During the same period, employment increased by 443,100 workers, but unemployment decreased by only 93,100. Are these data plausible? How could this difference be explained?