Who is excluded from the unemployment rate?

Answer 1

The unemployment rate is calculated by the number of people that have filed for unemployment benefits in each state. The figure can be somewhat misleading because this does not include the people who are not eligible for benefits, those that have exhausted benefits, or people that did not file for whatever reason. It is also misleading because the state's rate is calculated by the number of people collecting unemployment in that state. If I worked in Nevada, but moved to Florida, and become unemployed in Florida, then I have to contact Nevada to file for benefits - since my wages were in Nevada. There are also many people that have multiple wages in many states (construction workers, sales professionals, etc.). They have the unique ability of filing a combined wage claim and can chose the state (out of those they worked in), and file their claim in that state. So, the figures of the states where people are unemployed are often misleading.

Answer 2

Primarily people who have given up looking for work.

Answer 3

Generally those over the age of 16.