The government sector is made up of publicly-owned establishments. This sector includes establishments of federal, state, and local government agencies that administer, oversee, and manage public programs and have executive, legislative, or judicial authority over other institutions within a given area. These agencies also set policy, create laws, adjudicate civil and criminal legal cases, provide for public safety and for national defense. Establishments such as public schools and public hospitals also are included in government. The information presented here refers to civilian employment only.
Counts from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages program show that, as a portion of the national economy,
Federal government represents about 2.2 percent of all employment and 0.6 percent of all establishments;
State government represents about 3.5 percent of all employment and >0.8 percent of all establishments;
Local government is about 10.5 percent of all employment and 1.8 percent of all establishments.
Estimates from the Current Employment Statistics program show annual average employment in government was 19,275,000 in 1994; during 2003, government employment averaged 21,575,000 - an all-time high, but only slightly above the 2002 level.
According to the Current Population Survey, the 2003 unemployment rate of persons most recently employed in government was 2.8 percent, less than half of the overall unemployment rate of 6.0 percent that year.
Data from the Mass Layoff Statistics program show that, in 2002, there were 295 extended mass layoff events in government, resulting in 89,952 separations of workers from their jobs and 60,860 initial claimants for unemployment insurance.
Employment Projections data indicate that federal government employment will increase 0.4 percent over the 2002-12 period, the lowest rate of increase of any sector. State and local government employment will increase 13.4 percent. Total employment for all industry sectors is projected to grow 14.8 percent.
Productivity and Costs and Producer Price Index data are not published for any industries in the government sector except the United States postal service.
In 2003, there were 532 fatal occupational injuries in government (the majority in local government), according to data from the Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities program.
Some businesses in this industry are:
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Administration of Public Programs American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Governments Correctional Institutions Courts Electric, Gas, and Other Utilities Executive Offices Fire Protection International Affairs |
Counsel and Prosecution Legislative Bodies National Security Parole Offices and Probation Offices Police Protection Public Finance Activities Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities Space Research and Technology |
Information courtesy of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
