Total non-farm employment is the measure used most often for assessing job growth. It includes all public sector and private sector jobs, but excludes agriculture because of wide fluctuations and seasonal factors. Jobs are critical to overall economic health because of the linkages to income, spending, tax revenue, and consumer confidence. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, CT Labor Dept.

The private sector creates most of the jobs across Connecticut and the U.S. It includes nine primary categories: (1) Manufacturing; (2) Construction; Trade, (3) Transportation and Utilities; (4) Information; (5) Financial Services; (6) Professional and Business Services; (7) Education and Health Services; (8) Leisure and Hospitality, and (9) Other Services. The private sector represents about 85% of all jobs. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, CT Labor Dept.

The public sector represents all government jobs at the Federal, State, and Local level. In Connecticut, gaming jobs are associated with American Tribal Governments, and are therefore technically classified as government jobs as a result. The public sector represents about 15% of all jobs. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, CT Labor Dept.

The unemployment rate is defined as the official number of unemployed workers expressed as a percentage of the labor force. The “official” measures of domestic employment are referred to as the “U-3” calculation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also measures alternative measures of unemployment, factoring in those workers forced from full-time work into part-time positions, and marginally attached workers who are not technically unemployed. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, CT Labor Dept.

Consumer confidence is measured by assessing consumer opinions in two key areas: the present situation and future expectations. The data is collected and compiled by the Conference Board in New York. Economists believe that consumer confidence is very important to the overall economic because consumers spend as they feel. The more confident they are, the more they spend. Conversely, a reduction in consumer confidence implies less spending. Consumers represent about two-thirds of overall economic activity as measured by personal consumption.