The official unemployment rate is calculated as a percentage of the labor force, which includes all people 16 years of age and older who are either employed or actively seeking employment. The official unemployment rate does not count people who are discouraged from seeking work, such as stay-at-home parents, people with disabilities, and ex-convicts.

Some economists believe that the real unemployment rate is much higher than the official unemployment rate. They argue that the official unemployment rate does not accurately reflect the number of people who are out of work and actively seeking employment because it does not count discouraged workers.

Other economists argue that the real unemployment rate is not much higher than the official unemployment rate. They point out that the official unemployment rate has been declining in recent years, and that there are more jobs available than there are unemployed workers.

Ultimately, the real unemployment rate is difficult to measure precisely, and there is no consensus on its exact value. However, it is an important statistic to track, as it provides insight into the health of the economy.

Here are some of the factors that can affect the real unemployment rate:

* The strength of the economy: When the economy is strong, there are more jobs available and fewer unemployed workers.

* The demographics of the population: The real unemployment rate is higher for certain groups of people, such as young people, minorities, and people with disabilities.

* Government policies: Government policies can affect the real unemployment rate. For example, raising the minimum wage can reduce unemployment, while cutting taxes can stimulate the economy and create jobs.

It is important to be aware of the different definitions of unemployment and the factors that can affect the real unemployment rate in order to understand the true state of the economy.