Misleading?

Stats don't speak for themselves without human comment. This graph is measuring back to 1972. Factors not mentioned that may be relevant to the numbers are:

1. Changes in population growth and decline. How much was the 1982 spike affected by the sheer numbers of baby boom generation? Population decline and baby boomers reaching retirement in the 21st Century should be factored into these numbers.


2. Joblessness vs. unemployment. Labor Dept. employment numbers only count those who are receiving unemployment assistance. When the jobless have used up their unemployment assistance, that does not mean that have achieved employment. All this graph measures is the "racheting down" of jobless who still receive unemployment from the federal government.