CAIE A-Level Economics 9.3.5 Employment trends

CAIE A-Level Economics 9.3.5 Employment trends
Cambridge International AS & A Level Economics 9708 syllabus for exams in 2026, 2027 and 20282026–2028

Practise reading employment and unemployment statistics, comparing trends, and drawing valid conclusions from tables or graphs.

How this is tested

  • compare unemployment trends across two periods using the overall direction of change
  • interpret labour force, employment and inactivity data without confusing rates with numbers
  • draw valid conclusions from country tables on youth, total or long-run unemployment

Question 21

[Maximum number: 1]

The diagram shows selected US labour statistics from 2001 to 2013.

Figure for Question 21 — CAIE A-Level Economics

What can be concluded from the diagram?

A

Between 2004 and 2005, when the number of net new jobs was rising, the percentage employed increased.

B

Employed as a percentage of the population aged 16 and over declined continuously.

C

The natural rate of unemployment was achieved only in 2008.

D

The number of employed workers rose in all except four years.