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How does the dramatic rise of nonresponse in the Current Population Survey impact labor market indicators?

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  • Robert Bernhardt
  • David Munro
  • Erin L. Wolcott

Abstract

Within a decade, the share of households refusing to participate in the Current Population Survey (CPS) tripled. We show households that refuse 1 month but respond in an adjacent month account for an important part of the rise. Leveraging the labor force status of survey participants in the months surrounding their nonresponse, we find that rising refusals suppressed the measured labor force participation rate and employment–population ratio but had little effect on the unemployment rate. Notably, nonresponse bias accounts for at least 10% of the reported decline in the labor force participation rate from 2000 to 2020.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Bernhardt & David Munro & Erin L. Wolcott, 2024. "How does the dramatic rise of nonresponse in the Current Population Survey impact labor market indicators?," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 39(3), pages 498-512, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:japmet:v:39:y:2024:i:3:p:498-512
    DOI: 10.1002/jae.3035
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    References listed on IDEAS

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