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.

Illustrative background for Frictional unemploymentIllustrative background for Frictional unemployment ?? "content

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.
Illustrative background for Structural unemployment Illustrative background for Structural unemployment  ?? "content

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.
Illustrative background for Cyclical unemploymentIllustrative background for Cyclical unemployment ?? "content

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.
Illustrative background for Seasonal unemploymentIllustrative background for Seasonal unemployment ?? "content

Seasonal unemployment

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

Jump to other topics

1Microeconomics

2Macroeconomics

2.1The Level of Overall Economic Activity

2.2Aggregate Demand & Aggregate Supply

2.3Macroeconomic Objectives

2.4Economic Growth, Poverty & Inequality

2.5Fiscal Policy

2.6Monetary Policy

2.7Supply-Side Policies

3The Global Economy

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