Germany's Official Unemployment Rate Is Not Comparable to the U.S. Rate

NYT reporters should know that Germany counts workers who have part-time employment, but desire full-time employment, as being unemployed. This is different from the U.S. (and international) methodology, which counts these people as being employed.

This means that when the NYT tells readers that Germany had an unemployment rate in the 3rd quarter of 8.2 percent, it is misinforming them. The NYT could have reported the internationally comparable 7.6 percent unemployment rate for Germany with a quick trip to the OECD website.

--Dean Baker