Unemployment can be a marker for economic health. The U.S. uses the Current Population Survey (CPS), a monthly sample survey of 60,000 households across different states to measure unemployment. The survey uses polls to calculate the unemployment rate across the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics announces the number of unemployed and employed people every month. The unemployment rates are usually picked up and broadcasted on media outlets shortly after the announcement. Knowing what unemployment is and how it works can be valuable as an economist, everyday citizen, or investor. What is unemployment? A common definition of unemployment is when a person actively looking for work can’t find a job. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists certain criteria an individual must meet before being categorized as unemployed. That includes the following; Not being employed during the week of the CPS (Current Population Survey) measurement. Unavailable to work, with the exception of temporary illness. Have attempted to find a job during the four-week period that ended with the week of the survey, or were temporarily laid off. While this definition describes an unemployed