A periodic comparative evaluation of employment and its composition is worthwhile since employment is one of the most basic determinants of the health of the economy and quality of life. Changes in employment over time reflect restructuring of an economy and, ultimately, have social impacts. Moreover, the underlying trends of employment give an indication of an economy\u27s future growth and wellbeing. A future article will evaluate personal income as a measure of economic performance.
This article examines employment data developed by the U. S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and compiled by the Bureau of Business Research (BBR). To provide a consistent and comparable analysis, the initial and terminal years of the study, 1988 and 1995, both represent periods of healthy economic growth. The data tables summarize the economies of the U. S. (Table I), Nebraska (Table 2) and the Omaha Area (Tables 3 and 4). The Omaha area includes the Nebraska counties of Douglas, Sarpy, and Washington in Table 3. Pottawattamie County, Iowa is added to the Omaha area in Table 4. Pottawattamie County is also presented separately in Table 5 to show its growth relative to the rest of the Omaha Area.
Employment Changes
Summary of Employment Changes in the Economies
Conclusio