Which of the following is included in the unemployment rate?

The unemployment rate specifically measures the percentage of the labor force that is jobless but actively seeking employment. Therefore, individuals who have made an effort to find a job within the past month are included in this statistic, as they are considered part of the labor force. This definition focuses on those who are willing and able to work but currently do not have a job, thus capturing the essence of unemployment effectively.

In contrast, those who choose not to work, such as retirees or people who are not currently seeking employment, do not factor into the unemployment rate. Retirees have exited the labor force entirely, and self-selecting individuals who are not looking for work are categorized outside of the labor force. Likewise, while students seeking part-time work might be actively pursuing employment, if they are not considered part of the labor force in that context, they may not directly contribute to the unemployment rate unless they are also looking for full-time work.