Question

What is frictional unemployment? Give examples of frictional unemployment.

Short answer

Frictional unemployment is a temporary period of joblessness experienced by workers who are either searching for a new job or transitioning between jobs, reflecting the flexibility and freedom in a healthy economy for workers to change jobs in search of better opportunities. Examples include a recent college graduate searching for their first full-time job, a worker who has relocated and is looking for a job in their new location, and an individual changing career paths and searching for a new job in their desired field.

Step-by-step solution

Define frictional unemployment

Frictional unemployment occurs when there is a temporary period of joblessness experienced by workers who are either searching for a new job or in the process of transitioning between jobs. It is generally considered a natural form of unemployment that exists in a healthy economy, as it indicates that workers have the flexibility and freedom to change jobs in search of better opportunities.

Provide examples of frictional unemployment

Example 1: A recent college graduate is searching for their first full-time job in their chosen field. They are currently unemployed, but actively looking for work and attending interviews, making their unemployment frictional. Example 2: A worker who has left their current job due to a relocation or personal reasons is temporarily unemployed while they search for a new job in their new location. Their unemployment is also frictional. Example 3: An individual who decides to quit their current job to pursue a different career path experiences frictional unemployment during the time it takes them to find a new job in their desired field.