Chart 1-8. Private payroll employment began increasing in
August 2003
Employment in thousands
114,000
113,000
112,000
111,000
110,000
109,000
108,000
107,000
106,000
105,000
104,000
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
NOTE: Shaded area represents recession. Data are seasonally adjusted.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Chart 1-8. Private payroll employment began increasing in
August 2003
• Private nonfarm employment fell sharply during 2001. The pace of
employment declines slowed markedly in 2002.
• Private payroll employment began to increase in August 2003, and by
December 2005, about 4.3 million private sector jobs had been added.
8