OECD says ET was right about UK unemployment | 30 comments (30 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: OECD says ET was right about UK unemployment (4.00 / 2)

I once had a little booklet called "statistics without tears" that helped me to overcome my fear of statistics. But reading your post brings back the tears on seeing how statistics are used once more for lying. Well, we can only say, thank you to all the number wizzards here on ET who help the statistically challenged like me to see what the numbers really mean.

by Fran on Sun Oct 23rd, 2005 at 03:09:50 PM EST

Re: OECD says ET was right about UK unemployment (4.00 / 2)

I wish I were a numbers wizard! But, anyway, you don't have to be a wizard to understand this. There are differences in the way countries handle unemploymant benefits and sickness benefits that lead to some people being in the sickness category who might just as well be in the unemployment category.

What I'm objecting to is the use of unemployment numbers as proof of who are supposed to be the winners and who are supposed to be the losers. And the nonstop echoing of this by the media.

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Sun Oct 23rd, 2005 at 03:43:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: OECD says ET was right about UK unemployment (none / 0)

Did you realize how the Scandinavian countries are generally at the top of the list in every age and sex category?

A society committed to the notion that government is always bad will have bad government. And it doesn't have to be that way. — Paul Krugman

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sun Oct 23rd, 2005 at 03:56:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: OECD says ET was right about UK unemployment (none / 0)

Yep. You'd have to be a specialist on the exact structure of each country's benefit systems to explain it, and I don't have anything like that omniscience.

Though I have read suggestions that the long winters and lack of light in Nordic countries lead to depression and other disorders. Does that have anything to do with it? Can anyone shed (cough cough) light on this?

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Sun Oct 23rd, 2005 at 04:10:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

OECD says ET was right about UK unemployment | 30 comments (30 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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