Unemployment

Chart of the Day with a longer term look at unemployment.  Their chart and their commentary below.

"{On Friday}, the Labor Department reported that the unemployment rate declined significantly to 8.6% -- the lowest level in 32 months. For some perspective on the current state of the labor market, today's chart illustrates the unemployment rate since 1948. As today's chart illustrates, the unemployment rate has been generally trending lower. However, the pace of that overall downtrend has been significantly slower than what has typically occurred following previous peaks in the unemployment rate. Though, following the previous two recessions, it did take much longer than normal for the unemployment rate to peak. While the significant decline in the unemployment rate for the month of November is a positive step, it is worth noting that the current unemployment rate remains at a level that was surpassed only during two previous periods (1975 and 1982-83) over the last 60+ years."

Link:  Unemployment Since the 1940's