The labor force in North Dakota is down more than 4,000 compared to February. The adjustment process likely will be longer term due to COVID and economic circumstances in the state. I map out a few labor market variables.
ND Labor Markets
ND Metro Area Labor Force
I look at the metropolitan area labor force in North Dakota. These seem natural comparison groupings, though the data show serious differences that may change that impression.
Labor Force Growth and Streaks
I was thinking about the labor force increase during the Bakken oil boom and wondered how it stood up against streaks in other states. The answer surprised me.
Grand Forks Labor Force Forecast, May 2018
The economic definition of labor force is a bit different from the conventional view. The labor force is employed plus unemployed, who by definition are those without a job but looking for work. I bring this up to avoid any confusion with the variable actually being forecast.
Labor Force Participation Discussions
Labor force participation is a frequent topic of conversation on the radio these days so it seemed appropriate to actually share the graphs that I often show JT when the topic comes up.