The claims data is under the Population, Employment, & Labor Markets section.
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/categories/10
FRED’s search works really well. One of the best I’ve seen.
I’m not sure how shrinking workforce would affect initial claims. Continuing claims for sure as people get discouraged and drop out. Initial would be for people who just lost a job.
There is no doubt that the LFPR is a huge issue. The biggest question is what is driving it. Some of it is likely structural demographics although over 55 LFPR continues to rise. Women dropping out is a driver as male LFPR has been declining since the 40’s. A lot of it situational given the very slow growth in the economy.
The only cure for all of this is a pro-growth environment. I found it funny that SecTreas Lew has made several comments about pro-growth and made one today to Europe. This is the most anti-growth administration in history. Their regulations are crushing business. the gridlocked Congress is casting a fiscal shadow over growth. Now they want to raise taxes. Just sheer stupidity.
Weird. I went there and still didn't see it. Then I cntl-F'd 'claims' and it jumped right out at me.
not sure how shrinking workforce would affect initial claims
Work force > employment > initial claims.
the most anti-growth administration in history
My take is that many of them honestly believe that they favor the wellbeing of those working in the labor markets while maintaining all the necessary 'fairness' to stick it to the rest of us in the capital markets. Considering that all economic activity needs both labor and capital it becomes a de facto anti-growth program. I see it as sheer bigotry.