The Current Population Survey: Understanding Employment Trends and Data Analysis

The current population survey (CPS) is a vital tool for understanding the dynamics of the U.S. labor force. Conducted monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the U.S. Census Bureau, this survey offers valuable insights into employment, unemployment, and workforce participation. Let’s delve deeper into what the CPS entails and why it matters.

The current population survey aims to capture demographic characteristics and employment status for individuals of working age within households. Often referred to as the household survey, it complements the current employment statistics survey, which focuses on establishments. The CPS is instrumental in estimating the national and subregional unemployment rates across various demographic groups.

Historically, the CPS has maintained a response rate of nearly 90%. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic saw a decline, with the response rate dropping to 69.9% in April 2020. Despite this, the survey remains one of the most frequent and accurate of its kind.

Data collected through the CPS covers a wide range of employment-related metrics, including age, sex, race, marital status, occupation, industry, and more. This information is crucial for understanding labor market trends and informing policy decisions.

The CPS is administered by the Census Bureau during the calendar week containing the 19th of each month, with survey questions referring to the week containing the 12th. Approximately 60,000 households are surveyed through phone and in-person interviews on a rotating basis.

Supplemental questions are included annually in the March survey, covering various topics such as family characteristics, education attainment, health insurance coverage, and income. Additional questions may be added throughout the year for research purposes.

The CPS provides critical data on employment, unemployment, and workforce participation in the United States. By surveying 60,000 households each month, it offers insights into labor market dynamics, allowing for analysis by ethnicity, sex, and other demographic factors.

No, participation in the CPS is voluntary. However, contributing to the survey helps ensure its accuracy and reliability by representing individuals like you in the data.

The CPS is conducted through phone or in-person interviews at selected households. It cannot be completed via mail, email, or online platforms.