Jobs created during U.S. presidential terms

Politicians and pundits frequently refer to the ability of the president of the United States to "create jobs" in the U.S. during his term in office.

The Establishment Survey publishes jobs, hours, and earnings estimates at varying levels of detail (nation, state, metro area) and for different industries.

[4] The sample establishments are drawn from private non-farm businesses such as factories, offices, and stores, as well as federal, state, and local government entities.

Figures are seasonally adjusted, which removes from the series the effects of normal variation from recurring events within a year, such as holidays and weather changes, and helps reveal underlying economic trends.

Additionally, for at least the first eight months of a president's term, he inherits a budget proposed and implemented by his predecessor (as well as an overall economy which may be in decline or recovery).

Another factor to consider is population growth, which provides opportunities for the creation of jobs, rendering these figures less impressive, or in the case of the already subpar, clearly insufficient.

According to a Harris Poll, despite persistent reports that inflation is falling and the unemployment rate is nearing a 50-year low, two-thirds of Americans (68%) are unhappy with the economy.

[6] Numbers listed from 1941 and onward are Bureau of Labor Statistics data[7] of nonfarm jobs (in thousands), and are shown from the year beginning and ending each presidential term.