--%>

Okun's Law Coefficient Is so Large

Why the Okun's Law Coefficient Is so Large? Okun's Law posits not a 1-to-1 relation but a 2.5-to-1 relationship between real GDP growth and the unemployment rate. That is, a one percentage-point fall in the unemployment rate is associated not with a 1 but a 2.5 percent boost in the level of production. Why is this Okun's Law coefficient so large? Why isn't it the case that a one percentage point fall in unemployment produces a one percent rise in output, or even less? One answer is that the unemployment rate, as officially measured, does not count discouraged workers. In a recession, the number of people at work falls, the number of people looking for work rises, and the number of people who are not looking for work because they doubt they could find jobs--but would be working if business conditions were better--rises. Because the conventionally-measured unemployment rate does not include these discouraged workers, more than a 1 percent rise in real GDP is needed to reduce the unemployment rate by 1 percentage point. Moreover, when business returns to normal, firms' initial response is not to hire more employees, but to ask existing employees to work longer hours. So average hours of work per week go up, and the unemployment rate falls by less than one would otherwise expect. Finally, in some industries employing more workers increases production by more than a proportional amount: product design and set-up need to be done only once, no matter how much is produced. Thus businesses which have economies of scale do not need twice as many workers to produce twice as much output.

   Related Questions in Microeconomics

  • Q : Labor Unions and Employment The labor

    The labor union will not enhance its members' job viewpoints by: (1) Raising worker productivity through apprenticeship. (2) Limiting entry through quotas or high initiation fees. (3) Lobbying for the tariffs on competing the foreign goods. (4) Collectively bargaining

  • Q : Separable utility function One of my

    One of my friends can't find the answer of this question. Give answer of following economic based question. Tell me about strongly separable utility function?

  • Q : Monopolistic competition In which

    In which market type, there is a requirement for selling or advertising costs? Answer: Beneath monopolistic competition, there is a requirement of selling costs sin

  • Q : Minimum average variable cost at

    When the minimum average variable cost exceeds price, in that case a firm produces: (w) where MR = MC into the short run. (x) only in the long run. (y) in the short run although shuts down in the long run. (z) nothing in the short run.

    Q : Market conditions operate by monopolies

    Hey friends I need your help for illustrates that this is NOT true by monopolies: (1) are generally more profitable in the long run when there are barriers to entry. (2) sometimes incur losses. (3) may try to increase demand by marketing. (4) shut down while faced by

  • Q : Central bank as lender of last resort

    The central bank performs as lender of last resort. Explain how? Answer: The central bank too acts as lender of last resort for other banks of the country. This mea

  • Q : Conscious Interdependence Oligopolists

    Oligopolists enter within formal or informal arrangements to fix prices within attempts to: (1) stabilize prices to customers. (2) compete more effectively along with foreign competitors. (3) reduce the price elasticity of market demand.  (4) max

  • Q : Shut down point of profit maximizing

    A profit maximizing competitive firm will shut down within the short run when: (w) prices do not cover average total costs. (x) this loses money on each unit of output. (y) price falls below the minimum of its AVC curve. (z) fixed costs exceed margina

  • Q : Price ceiling set below equilibrium A

    A price ceiling set below equilibrium will raise the: (w) quantity supplied. (x) good’s opportunity cost to buyers. (y) sellers’ profits. (z) rate of excess supply. How can I solve my economics

  • Q : Problem on Explicit Costs Can someone

    Can someone help me in finding out the precise answer from the given options. The explicit costs of the firm would not comprise: (1) Salaries paid to the employees. (2) The value of owner’s effort and time. (3) Electric bills automatically paid as the drafts on