How the economy is really doing

These five indicators do a good job of showing what's really going on -- and what it feels like -- out there.

1 of 5

Unemployment

SCORE: 2.8*

The nation's unemployment rate currently stands at 9% (2010 average: 9.6%), or nearly two-and-a-half times what it was at the peak of the tech boom in April 2000. Perhaps worse news is that nearly half of those out of work have been jobless at least six months, a record number. These are definitely not feel-good statistics.

By Ali Velshi and Erica Fink

NEXT: Income

Last updated March 02 2011: 5:21 PM ET

* Score is on a scale of 1-10 against their best (10) and worst (1) results since 1980.

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