Monday, March 27, 2006

More Reasons to Hate France

With France imminently approaching national strikes, I just wanted to refresh our memories about long term unemployment.

Long term unemployment is the percent of total people unemployed for more than 1 year.

In France 42% of those who are unemployed have been unemployed for over 12 months.

The reason why this is important is because long term unemployment is an excellent proxy for the laziness of a people.

In the US we're only at 13%

Norway is at 9%.

Perhaps oil is not the only reason for Norway's economic success.

7 comments:

Captain Capitalism said...

Without looking at the stats and just going from what I've read, HAD ASS WORK ETHIC. High moral caliber. And a homogenous race with a very defined culture. Not to mention us dictating to them what they'd do back during the occupation didn't hurt either.

Anonymous said...

The reason why this is important is because long term unemployment is an excellent proxy for the laziness of a people.

Actually, Captain... I think you misdiagnose the problem... The fact is, in France, where it's damn near impossible to fire someone because of their socialist laws...employers have very little incentive to hire new workers.

I wouldn't say they are lazy... I would say that their Statism is the culprit.

Captain Capitalism said...

Yes, I will agree that a lack of jobs certainly explains some of it, but you have to admit that the rest of it comes from a lucrative welfare system that disincentives people to find jobs.

Besides, just let me have my fun and pick on the French.

JTapp said...

Caveat:
The countries on the chart measure unemployment by different methods than the U.S. does, and different than each other.

Captain Capitalism said...

Not when the OECD and ILO standardize it.

Anonymous said...

Yeah the USA is just so great I'm really jealous of you living in the land of the free.

Captain Capitalism said...

What country you from Dett?