The importance of labor force statistics compiled monthly by the Bureau of the Census and Bureau of Labor Statistics cannot be overstressed because of their influence on economic and social policies in the United States. The household surveys provide a variety of information about the personal characteristics of the unemployed and the duration of joblessness. In May 1969, there were 79,621,000 persons in the labor force and the unemployment rate was 3.2 percent. Adult men recorded the lowest unemployment with 2.0 percent, while young workers 16-19 had the highest with 10.8 percent. In 1968 unemployment was unevenly distributed with the North Central Area having a rate of 3.0 percent and the West a rate of 4.9 percent. The composition of the labor force has changed drastically in the last few years. In March 1967, there were 30 million secondary wage earners who supplemented incomes of primary family wage earners. In addition there has been a long term trend toward employment stability and expansion in services and government. These factors, along with the wide acceptance of unemployment insurance and supplemental unemployment benefits, have created more stability in the labor force. (BC)