Question

If the structural unemployment rate is 3%, the frictional unemployment rate is 2%, and the cyclical unemployment rate is 4%, then the natural rate of unemployment is 9%.
True

False

Answer 1

Answer:

False

Explanation:

In this scenario, the natural rate of unemployment would be 5% = 3% of frictional unemployment plus 2% of cyclical unemployment. The other type of unemployment that is part of the natural rate is not referenced in the question (surplus unemployment).

Cyclical unemployment is not added up because it is not part of natural unemployment.

In fact, what natural unemployment basically is, is unemployment that does not depend on business cycle, that is not cyclical. In that sense, cyclical unemployment is totally the opposite to natural unemployment, and you only reach a rate of natural unemployment, when cyclical unemployment is eliminated in a healthy economy.