During that span, layoffs have become common even in good times, but the economy has created enough new jobs to keep unemployment low.

With all this, 1988 growth is estimated at 2.7 percent, which may be too low to keep black unemployment from rising above its already high level.

He opened the first to see, 'A five-point plan for discussion by Cabinet on how to keep unemployment under one million'.

The administration predicted the "stimulus" would keep unemployment below 8 percent.

Over a year ago, the so-called 'stimulus' bill was passed with the promise that it would create jobs and keep unemployment below eight percent.

But it said growth would likely increase to an 8 percent rate this year, which Chinese leaders believe is the minimum needed to keep unemployment low.

By putting the brakes on economic growth, even gently, China is slowing an economy that must roar just to keep unemployment from rising.

Simply to keep unemployment at the present 11.8 percent level, the economy must create 628,000 jobs this year.

It was then thought that governments could keep unemployment at a low level through spending.

This is well below the 2.5% pace that is necessary just to keep unemployment from rising.