Theme 2 - 4

Question 1

What is the Active Population?

Answer 1

Those in work or actively seeking work; also known as the labour force.

This includes individuals who are employed and those who are unemployed but looking for work.

Question 2

What does the Activity (Participation) Rate measure?

Answer 2

The number of those in work or unemployed divided by the population of working age expressed as a percentage.

It reflects the proportion of the working-age population that is either employed or actively seeking employment.

Question 3

What is Claimant Count?

Answer 3

A measure of unemployment, in which the number of people claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA) is counted.

This metric helps to gauge the level of unemployment in an economy.

Question 4

Define Deindustrialisation.

Answer 4

The process of a country or region shifting away from manufacturing and industry as the primary drivers of economic growth.

This often leads to job losses in traditional industries and can impact local economies.

Question 5

What is Demand Deficient (Structural) Unemployment?

Answer 5

A type of unemployment that occurs when the labour market is unable to provide jobs to all individuals who are seeking employment.

This can be caused by various factors, including economic downturns and changes in industry demand.

Question 6

What is the definition of Unemployment?

Answer 6

The state of being without a job while actively seeking employment.

Unemployment can be categorized into various types, including frictional, structural, and cyclical.

Question 7

What does Emigration refer to?

Answer 7

The relocation or process of people leaving one country to reside in another.

This can significantly impact the demographic and economic landscape of both the origin and destination countries.

Question 8

What is meant by Employed?

Answer 8

The number of people in work, meaning they do more than one hour of paid work per week.

This includes both full-time and part-time workers.

Question 9

How is the Employment Rate defined?

Answer 9

The percentage of the population of working age that is in a job.

This metric is crucial for assessing the health of an economy.

Question 10

What is Frictional Unemployment?

Answer 10

A type of short-term, voluntary unemployment that occurs when people are between jobs or entering the workforce for the first time.

This is often considered a natural part of the job market.

Question 11

Define Full-Time Workers.

Answer 11

Someone who works a standard number of hours per week, usually 35-40 hours.

Full-time employment often comes with benefits that part-time jobs may not offer.

Question 12

What does Geographical Immobility refer to?

Answer 12

Barriers preventing people from moving from one area to another to find work.

These barriers can be economic, social, or logistical.

Question 13

What is Hidden Unemployment?

Answer 13

People who are not actively looking for work but who are willing and able to work, thus not counted as part of the official unemployment rate.

This group includes discouraged workers who have given up looking for employment.

Question 14

What does Immigration refer to?

Answer 14

The movement of individuals away from their country of origin to a new country.

Immigration can have significant social and economic impacts on both the host and origin countries.

Question 15

Who are considered Inactive individuals?

Answer 15

Those neither employed nor unemployed; they do not participate in the job market.

This includes those of working age who are not seeking employment, as well as those unable to start work.

Question 16

What is the Inactivity Rate?

Answer 16

The number of those not in work and not unemployed divided by the population of working age expressed as a percentage.

Question 17

Define Labour (Work) Force.

Answer 17

Those in work or actively seeking work.

Question 18

What is the Labour Force Survey?

Answer 18

A survey of employment in the UK using the International Labour Organisation’s definition of unemployment.

Question 19

What does Long-Term Unemployed refer to?

Answer 19

Individuals remaining unemployed for an extended period, typically defined as 27 weeks or more.

Question 20

What is Migration?

Answer 20

The movement of people, especially workers, between countries.

Question 21

Define Net Migration.

Answer 21

The difference between the number of people entering and leaving a country.

Question 22

What is Occupational Immobility?

Answer 22

Barriers to moving easily between jobs.

Question 23

What are Part-Time Workers?

Answer 23

A form of employment with less than 35 hours worked per week.

Question 24

What is the Participation Rate?

Answer 24

The percentage of the working population who are in the labour force.

Question 25

Define Population of Working Age.

Answer 25

The total number of people aged between the statutory school leaving age and the state retirement age.

Question 26

What is Real Wage Inflexibility?

Answer 26

A situation in which wages are set above the equilibrium level, resulting in an excess supply of labour or unemployment.

Question 27

What is Seasonal Unemployment?

Answer 27

Occurs when workers are employed only during certain seasons or periods of the year.

Question 28

Who are Self-Employed individuals?

Answer 28

Those who run their own business and are not paid through PAYE.

Question 29

What is Structural Unemployment?

Answer 29

Unemployment that occurs due to a mismatch between the skills or qualifications of job seekers and available job opportunities.

Question 30

What is underemployment?

Answer 30

Under-employment refers to a situation where an individual is working, but their job does not fully utilise their skills or abilities. ## Footnote This can lead to job dissatisfaction and a lack of career progression.

Question 31

Who is considered unemployed?

Answer 31

Those who are without work, able to start work within the next two weeks and have actively sought work for the last four weeks. ## Footnote This definition is commonly used in labor market statistics.

Question 32

What is the unemployment rate?

Answer 32

The percentage of the workforce (that is, able and willing to work) that is not currently employed. ## Footnote It is a key indicator of economic health.

Question 33

What is a zero-hour contract?

Answer 33

A zero-hours contract is a contract between an employer and employee where the employer has no obligation to give an employee work and an employee has no obligation to do work when asked. ## Footnote Pay depends on how many hours an employee works.