8-2: Movements in Unemployment e First, there is evidence of a small upward trend in the unemployment rate. The average unemployment rate was 4.5% in the 1950s 47%in the 1960s 6.2% in the 1970s.7.3% in the 1980s In the 1990s however average unemployment has been only 5.75% e Second, the trend increase is dominated by large fluctuations in the unemployment rate 2003-7-13 82003-7-13 8 8-2: Movements in Unemployment First,there is evidence of a small upward trend in the unemployment rate. The average unemployment rate was 4.5% in the 1950s, 4.7% in the 1960s, 6.2% in the 1970s, 7.3% in the 1980s. In the 1990s however, average unemployment has been only 5.75%. Second, the trend increase is dominated by large fluctuations in the unemployment rate