Unemployment is a crucial issue that impacts a country’s economic growth and development. Cyclical unemployment is one of the forms of unemployment caused by economic cycle changes. It is caused by changes in the market’s demand and supply circumstances, which result in a decrease in production, output, and employment. In this article, we will look at the various aspects of cyclical unemployment, such as its causes, impacts, and measures to mitigate its impact.
List of Contents
What Exactly Is Cyclical Unemployment?
Cyclical unemployment refers to irregular fluctuations or cyclical tendencies in growth and production. It is measured by the business cycle’s gross domestic product (GDP). Economists define cyclical unemployment as a result of enterprises lacking sufficient labor demand to hire all job seekers at a given time in the business cycle. Supply production might be reduced to compensate in response to a fall in demand for a product or service. As supply levels decrease, personnel are needed to achieve the lower production volume standard. The corporation will lay off those employees who are no longer required, resulting in unemployment.
When economic output declines, the business cycle is at a low point, and cyclical unemployment will increase. In contrast, when business cycles are at their peak, cyclical unemployment is typically low since labor demand is high.
2 Major Causes of Cyclical Unemployment
1. Consumer Demand for Products
When consumer demand for products and services decreases, output decreases. This decrease reduces the need for labor, resulting in layoffs. Consequently, consumers have less money to spend, resulting in a further decline in sales. Hence, corporations lay off additional employees to retain their profit margins.
Economies are typically already in a recession by the time cyclical unemployment begins. Before commencing layoffs, businesses typically wait until they are certain the recession is severe enough to require them.
2. A Stock Market Crisis
Occasionally, a stock market crisis leads to cyclical unemployment. Examples are the 1929 crash, the technology crash of 2000, and the 2008 financial crisis. A severe market drop can trigger a recession by inciting panic and destroying consumer confidence. When this occurs, companies experience a decline in net value as stock prices collapse. When the market declines, opportunities to raise capital for growth and expansion also decline. Investors lose faith in the financial markets.
As a result, they begin selling their assets to reduce losses, resulting in a decline in stock prices. Therefore, consumers tend to hold purchases until investor confidence returns or prices continue to decrease. This phase represents a period of economic downturn. If investor confidence recovers, economic expansion will resume, and cyclical unemployment will be averted. If confidence continues to deteriorate, businesses will be forced to continue laying off more employees due to reduced demand.
Effects of Cyclical Unemployment
Extended Layoffs
Cyclical unemployment can become a continuous spiral that feeds on itself. Newly unemployed individuals have less disposable income, which decreases demand and corporate revenue, resulting in even more layoffs.
This downward trend will continue without action until the supply falls to match the reduced demand. However, this may not occur until the jobless rate approaches 25%. This was the level of unemployment during the Great Depression, which lasted a decade. Although monetary interventions were enacted at the time, they were insufficient. It is generally acknowledged that the demand for military equipment and supplies when the United States entered World War II effectively ended the Great Depression.
The Examples of Cyclical Unemployment
The Housing Bubble Burst and the Great Recession
At the end of the 2008 financial crisis, the housing bubble burst, and the Great Recession began. As more borrowers failed to pay the debt obligations associated with their properties, the demand for new buildings decreased.
As the number of unemployed increased and more borrowers were unable to make their mortgage payments, additional properties were liable to foreclosure. Consequently, nearly 1.5 million construction employees became unemployed. This spike in unemployment was cyclical unemployment.
As the economy rebounded during the years, the financial industry returned to profitability and increased its lending. People began purchasing or renovating homes once more, causing real estate prices to rise once more. To fulfill this demand in the housing sector, construction jobs resumed, and cyclical unemployment fell.
Other Types of Unemployment
Economists recognize cyclical unemployment as one of the primary types of unemployment. Other types of unemployment include structural, seasonal, frictional, and institutional.
Structural Unemployment
Instead of being caused by the ebbs and flows of the business cycle, structural unemployment is caused by fundamental changes in the economy’s composition. An example was the loss of jobs in the buggy whip industry when automobiles became dominant. In the labor market, there is a mismatch between the supply and demand for specific skills.
Seasonal Unemployment
Seasonal unemployment happens when demand fluctuates from season to season. This group includes all workers whose employment is based on a specific season. Statistics on unemployment are frequently altered or smoothed to allow for seasonal fluctuations. The term for this is “seasonal adjustment.”
For instance, instructors may be deemed seasonal because most schools in the United States suspend or reduce activities during the summer. Similarly, construction employees who reside in regions where construction during the winter months is difficult may lose employment throughout the winter. Certain retail establishments recruit seasonal employees over the winter holidays to better handle higher sales and then let them go after the holidays when demand decreases.
Frictional Unemployment
Frictional unemployment is temporary unemployment caused by transitioning from one job to another, including the time required to hunt for a new job. It is a natural occurrence, even in a thriving and stable economy. Moreover, it is desirable because it signifies that workers are pursuing better positions.
Institutional Unemployment
Institutional unemployment is the portion caused by institutional arrangements such as high minimum wage regulations, discriminatory hiring practices, and high unionization rates. It is the product of long-term or permanent institutional elements and economic incentives.
Calculating the Cyclical Unemployment Rate
The cyclical unemployment rate is the difference between the natural and current unemployment rates. It is impossible to tell why each individual is unemployed based on facts. Economists have developed three approaches for estimating the cyclical component of calculating unemployment.
The Business Cycle
The business cycle is the original and most used approach. We have to find the unemployment rate at the height of the business cycle to apply this strategy. Then, we can locate the lowest unemployment rate. The difference between the two is the cyclical unemployment rate.
The Substruction of the Frictional and Seasonal Unemployment
The cyclical unemployment rate can also be calculated by subtracting the structural, frictional, and seasonal unemployment rates from the overall unemployment rate.
The Comparison of the Unemployment Rate
The third method compares recent college graduates’ unemployment rate to the overall unemployment rate. If the unemployment rate for recent graduates is comparable to the national average, then most unemployment is cyclical. This argument is based on the fact that fresh college graduates possess new abilities and can relocate to wherever the opportunities are. They have an extremely low probability of structural unemployment. Using this methodology, researchers determined that most of 2011 unemployment were cyclical.
The Solutions Government Used to Solve the Cyclical Unemployment
The government’s initial response to an increasing cyclical unemployment rate is to implement an expansionary monetary policy. The central banks implement policies to stimulate the economy. To reduce interest rates and expand the money supply, central banks will issue new currency by purchasing government securities on the market. Then, these economic conditions will drive financial institutions to boost lending and make the money supply more liquid.
Conclusion
In short, cyclical unemployment is a complicated issue that occurs as a result of economic cycle changes. While eliminating cyclical unemployment is challenging, there are steps that may be taken to mitigate its impact. Governments may promote demand and investment by using fiscal and monetary policy instruments, while investing in training and education programs can provide employees with the skills needed to adapt to changing market conditions. We may try to reduce the impact of cyclical unemployment on the economy and society by studying its sources and consequences.
FAQs
Cyclical unemployment is typically temporary and associated with fluctuations in the economic cycle. In contrast, structural unemployment results from longer-term economic developments and might be more challenging to address.
Companies can become more resilient and better equipped to navigate economic fluctuations by diversifying revenue streams, cross-training employees, implementing a contingency plan, maintaining a solid cash reserve, investing in technology, and fostering a culture of innovation.
Related Articles:
Read more: Economies
Source: Investopedia, thebalance