The Employment Situation: January 1994 — 1994-02-04

The Current Population Survey (household) data being released today reflect several major changes. First, the survey questionnaire has been redesigned following extensive research and testing that have been ongoing since the late 1980s, and the collection methodology has been changed from (principally) paper-and-pencil interviewing to a totally computerized environment. Many series, including unemployment, have been impacted by the improvements in the questionnaire and survey methodology. In addition, some estimates, most notably those relating to "discouraged workers" and "part time for economic reasons," have been substantially affected by changes in definition/measurement. Finally, the January data incorporate revised population estimates based on the 1990 census, adjusted for the undercount, which result in substantially higher levels for the population, labor force, and employment, and a slightly higher rate of unemployment. Because of the extensive nature of the redesign and the impact of the revised population estimates, the January 1994 data and those for earlier months should not be directly compared.