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Employment and unemployment: Edexcel A‑Level Economics A questions

Every Edexcel A-Level Economics A exam question on 2.1.3 Employment and unemployment, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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784 questions

  1. Q5(a)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    2 marks2.1.3 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 5(a): The total UK labour force in January 2022 was 34.5 million. With reference to the information above, calculate the total number of inactive people in the UK lab

  2. Q5(b)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    2 marks2.1.3 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 5(b): Explain one likely reason for the high levels of inactivity in the UK labour force. (2) 5 The UK’s labour force inactivity rate was 20.2% in January 2020 and in

  3. Q5(c)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 mark2.1.3 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 5(c): Which one of the following would be the most likely result of an increase in the rate of employment? (1) A Deflation B Improvement in living standards C Increas

  4. Q1(a)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark2.1.3 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 1(a): Which one of the following best describes this cause of unemployment? (1) A Cyclical B Frictional C Seasonal D Structural 1 Between January 2020 and December 20

  5. Q1(b)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    3 marks2.1.3 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 1(b): With reference to the information above, explain one possible effect of the increase in the rate of unemployment on the UK government budget. (3) 1 Between Janu

  6. Q3(b)

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    3 marks2.1.3 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 3(b): With reference to the above chart, explain one likely effect of migration on employment in the UK. (3) 3 The graph below shows UK long-term migration trends, Se

  7. Q2(a)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 mark2.1.3 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 2(a): With reference to the chart, which one of the following is true? (1) The unemployment rate: A fell by 1.4% between December 2020 and April 2022 B fell by one p

  8. Q2(b)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    4 marks2.1.3 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 2(b): With reference to the chart on the previous page, explain one likely reason for the change in the UK’s rate of unemployment. (4) 2 UK unemployment rate (%), Dec

  9. Q2(b)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    8 marks2.1.3 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 2(b): Examine two likely effects of the forecast change in the rate of unemployment between 2019 to 2020, on firms in Germany. Refer to Figure 4 in your answer. (8) R

  10. Q4(a)

    October 2020 · Paper 2

    2 marks2.1.3 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 2, question 4(a): Calculate the percentage change in the number of UK unemployed persons between April and July 2018. You are advised to show your working. (2) 4 Number of unempl

  11. Q4(b)

    October 2020 · Paper 2

    2 marks2.1.3 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 2, question 4(b): Explain one likely reason for the increase in the number of people unemployed in the UK over the time period shown. (2) 4 Number of unemployed persons, UK, as m

  12. Q4(c)

    October 2020 · Paper 2

    1 mark2.1.3 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 2, question 4(c): Which one of the following types of unemployment is most likely to be caused by a technological change in an industry? (1) A Cyclical B Real wage C Seasonal D S

  13. Q3(a)

    June 2019 · AS Paper 2

    3 marks2.1.3 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 AS Paper 2, question 3(a): With reference to the chart above, explain one likely economic effect of the change in the UK unemployment rate between 2012 and 2018. (3) 3 UK unemployment rat

  14. Q6(a)

    June 2018 · AS Paper 2

    4 marks2.1.3 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 AS Paper 2, question 6(a): With reference to Figure 1, explain one reason why the claimant count and the ILO measure of unemployment differ. (4) Read Figures 1 to 3 and the following extr

  15. Q6(e)

    June 2018 · AS Paper 2

    15 marks2.1.3 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 AS Paper 2, question 6(e): With reference to Extract B and Figure 1, discuss the likely impact of migration on employment and unemployment in the UK. (15) Read Figures 1 to 3 and the foll

  16. Q1(a)

    June 2017 · Paper 2

    1 mark2.1.3 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 2, question 1(a): Which one of the following types of unemployment best explains the change in the data between 2008 and 2010? (1) A Cyclical B Frictional C Seasonal D Voluntary

  17. Q2(a)

    June 2017 · AS Paper 2

    3 marks2.1.3 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 AS Paper 2, question 2(a): With reference to the statement above, explain the term ‘under-employment’. (3) 2 Between 2008 and 2014 the number of people in the UK looking to work longer ho

  18. Q2(b)

    June 2017 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark2.1.3 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 AS Paper 2, question 2(b): Which one of the following is the most likely reason for a fall in the unemployment rate? (1) A Increasing unemployment benefit payments B Decreasing real GDP C

  19. Q3(a)

    June 2016 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark2.1.3 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2016 AS Paper 2, question 3(a): Define the term ‘claimant count’. (1) 3 The table below shows claimant count data for the UK. Number of Claimants August 2014 961 149 September 2014 923 240 Oct

  20. Q3(b)

    June 2016 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks2.1.3 Employment and unemployment
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2016 AS Paper 2, question 3(b): Calculate the percentage change in the claimant count from August 2014 to February 2015. (2) 3 The table below shows claimant count data for the UK. Number of C
All 21 questions on Employment and unemployment, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q5(a) (2 marks): The total UK labour force in January 2022 was 34.5 million. With reference to the information above, calculate the total number of inactive people in the UK lab
  2. June 2025, Paper 2, Q5(b) (2 marks): Explain one likely reason for the high levels of inactivity in the UK labour force. (2) 5 The UK’s labour force inactivity rate was 20.2% in January 2020 and in
  3. June 2025, Paper 2, Q5(c) (1 mark): Which one of the following would be the most likely result of an increase in the rate of employment? (1) A Deflation B Improvement in living standards C Increas
  4. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q1(a) (1 mark): Which one of the following best describes this cause of unemployment? (1) A Cyclical B Frictional C Seasonal D Structural 1 Between January 2020 and December 20
  5. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q1(b) (3 marks): With reference to the information above, explain one possible effect of the increase in the rate of unemployment on the UK government budget. (3) 1 Between Janu
  6. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q3(b) (3 marks): With reference to the above chart, explain one likely effect of migration on employment in the UK. (3) 3 The graph below shows UK long-term migration trends, Se
  7. June 2023, Paper 2, Q2(a) (1 mark): With reference to the chart, which one of the following is true? (1) The unemployment rate: A fell by 1.4% between December 2020 and April 2022 B fell by one p
  8. June 2023, Paper 2, Q2(b) (4 marks): With reference to the chart on the previous page, explain one likely reason for the change in the UK’s rate of unemployment. (4) 2 UK unemployment rate (%), Dec
  9. November 2021, Paper 3, Q2(b) (8 marks): Examine two likely effects of the forecast change in the rate of unemployment between 2019 to 2020, on firms in Germany. Refer to Figure 4 in your answer. (8) R
  10. October 2020, Paper 2, Q4(a) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage change in the number of UK unemployed persons between April and July 2018. You are advised to show your working. (2) 4 Number of unempl
  11. October 2020, Paper 2, Q4(b) (2 marks): Explain one likely reason for the increase in the number of people unemployed in the UK over the time period shown. (2) 4 Number of unemployed persons, UK, as m
  12. October 2020, Paper 2, Q4(c) (1 mark): Which one of the following types of unemployment is most likely to be caused by a technological change in an industry? (1) A Cyclical B Real wage C Seasonal D S
  13. June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q3(a) (3 marks): With reference to the chart above, explain one likely economic effect of the change in the UK unemployment rate between 2012 and 2018. (3) 3 UK unemployment rat
  14. June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q6(a) (4 marks): With reference to Figure 1, explain one reason why the claimant count and the ILO measure of unemployment differ. (4) Read Figures 1 to 3 and the following extr
  15. June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q6(e) (15 marks): With reference to Extract B and Figure 1, discuss the likely impact of migration on employment and unemployment in the UK. (15) Read Figures 1 to 3 and the foll
  16. June 2017, Paper 2, Q1(a) (1 mark): Which one of the following types of unemployment best explains the change in the data between 2008 and 2010? (1) A Cyclical B Frictional C Seasonal D Voluntary
  17. June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q2(a) (3 marks): With reference to the statement above, explain the term ‘under-employment’. (3) 2 Between 2008 and 2014 the number of people in the UK looking to work longer ho
  18. June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q2(b) (1 mark): Which one of the following is the most likely reason for a fall in the unemployment rate? (1) A Increasing unemployment benefit payments B Decreasing real GDP C
  19. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q3(a) (1 mark): Define the term ‘claimant count’. (1) 3 The table below shows claimant count data for the UK. Number of Claimants August 2014 961 149 September 2014 923 240 Oct
  20. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q3(b) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage change in the claimant count from August 2014 to February 2015. (2) 3 The table below shows claimant count data for the UK. Number of C
  21. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q3(c) (1 mark): Which one of the following is likely to cause a reduction in the claimant count? (1) A An increase in the weekly payment for claimants B A compulsory weekly int

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