Wednesday, November 28, 2007

The Misery Index

The misery index is simply the inflation rate plus the unemployment rate. The graph below shows how it has changed since 1970. Notice it used to be alot higher. From 1975-83 the average unemployment rate and the average inflation rate were both 7.7% for an average misery index of 15.4. This year it will probably be about 8.7.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I remember trying to get my first job during 1978 when the index was near its maximum. Although things are better than that time, they are much changed from the late seventies. I went to trade school and was told I would get one job with a big company and stay there for life. This did not happen and I glad it didn’t! The options for workers in this country are even better then 25 years ago. The only difference is that to get an interesting job, you must be educated.

Just remember, “things are much better now”.

Cyril Morong said...

Thanks for dropping by again adding your input. Hope everything is going well for you.