Millions of people watch the monthly jobs report — but few know how it's actually calculated. The Bureau of Labor Statistics just updated a key part of that formula, called the birth-death model, to better account for businesses opening and closing.
Breakdown
- The jobs report now uses a new formula for the second time since January. 3s
- The updated birth-death model estimates jobs from new business births and deaths. 25s
- The new model assumes fewer new businesses and more closures for accuracy. 1m 10s
- Experts say the report is improved but still an estimate with possible errors. 1m 35s
- Analysts expect the February report to show about 60,000 jobs added. 2m 20s