Unemployment rate hides thousands of NC jobless

Raleigh, N.C. — As bleak as North Carolina's official 9.7 percent unemployment rate is, it doesn't completely reflect the number of people struggling to make ends meet and the fragile condition of the state economy, according to experts.


The traditional state and national unemployment numbers are based on household surveys and include only those who meet three criteria: They must be out of work, receiving benefits and actively seeking a new job.

Many economists say a more accurate picture can be seen in what the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics calls the U-6 number. That includes people so frustrated they gave up an active job search, those scraping by on part-time work because they can't find full-time employment and those in the midst of training for a career change.

CONTINUED:  http://www.wral.com/news/local/wral_investigates/story/9846540/