The Employed Persons indicator tracks the total number of individuals who performed any paid work during the reference period or were temporarily absent from their jobs. It is a key component of the labor market report and serves as a primary gauge of economic vitality and consumer spending potential. A rising number of employed persons typically signals economic expansion and can lead to higher interest rates to curb inflation.
Calculated based on monthly household surveys where individuals are asked about their employment status during a specific reference week. The data is seasonally adjusted to account for predictable seasonal fluctuations in hiring.
| Date | Actual | Forecast | Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 30, 2014 | 41.90 | — | — |