2.3.3

Types of Unemployment

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Types of Unemployment

There are many different types of unemployment. These types can also be voluntary or involuntary.

Frictional unemployment

Frictional unemployment

  • Frictional unemployment happens when people are between jobs.
  • Most economies will always have some level of frictional unemployment and it isn't a huge concern for governments.
  • In fact, it can even be a positive sign for an economy because it may indicate that workers are willing to take risks by moving in search of better pay or a job they are better suited to.
Structural unemployment

Structural unemployment

  • This happens when there is a mismatch between the skills that workers have and the skills that firms are looking for.
  • This is linked to changes in an economy over time and the changing demands of firms.
  • For example, de-industrialisation and the closure of the coal mines in the UK in the 1980s led to high levels of unemployment in the affected areas.
Cyclical unemployment

Cyclical unemployment

  • Cyclical unemployment is unemployment that is related to the business cycle. It is caused by the economy moving from expansion to recession, and is short term.
  • This is also known as Demand Deficient or Keynesian unemployment.
Seasonal unemployment

Seasonal unemployment

  • Unemployment due to the seasons of the year (e.g. ski instructors in the summer).
Jump to other topics
1

Microeconomics

2

Macroeconomics

2.1

The Level of Overall Economic Activity

2.2

Aggregate Demand & Aggregate Supply

2.3

Macroeconomic Objectives

2.4

Economic Growth, Poverty & Inequality

2.5

Fiscal Policy

2.6

Monetary Policy

2.7

Supply-Side Policies

3

The Global Economy

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