datoid

Unemployment reached 10.8% in November 1982, sitting 2.8 standard deviations above the 60-month average of 7.14%. This represents a dramatic 18-month climb from 7.2% in December 1980. The surge coincides with record-high inflation (CPI at 332.41) and elevated Treasury yields (4.47%), suggesting the economy was experiencing severe stagflation during this period. What's striking is how unemployment accelerated most rapidly in 1982, jumping from 8.6% in January to 10.8% by November. This pattern suggests a sharp recessionary shock rather than gradual deterioration.