Sharp divergence in rural and urban unemployment

Weekly estimates are relatively stable and reasonably reliable but turn out to be systematically higher than the 30-day moving average measure

As of January 27, the unemployment rate based on a 30-day moving average (30-dma) was 7.3 per cent. This rate has been falling since it peaked at 7.81 per cent on January 8. It was 7.4 per cent in December. Trends in the 30-dma suggest that the unemployment rate in January is likely to turn out to be a shade lower than it was in December. 

Before discussing the trends in the 30-dma unemployment rate, let me explain the dynamics of the 30-dma vis-a-vis the weekly series of unemployment rates. One of the objectives of CMIE's efforts at estimating employment