As a percent of total establishments, births have
been on the rise since September 2003.
q The death rate among establishments reached its peak
in June 2001 during the recession. This was the only period
that the death rate exceeded the birth rate.
Births are new businesses that
report employment for the first
time or that report positive
employment after four
consecutive quarters of zero
employment. Deaths are
businesses that disappear by
reporting no employment for
four consecutive quarters.
11
CHART
Quarterly number of births and deaths as a percent
of total establishments
Percent
3.6
Birth rate
3.4
3.2
3
2.8
Death rate
2.6
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
Quarter
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
NOTE: Based on preliminary research data. BED tables/data are not included on the enclosed CD. For more information, go to www.bls.gov/bdm/home.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Employment and Wages Annual Averages, 2006
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www.bls.gov/cew