Based on current macro regime conditions and employment-population ratio's historical behaviour in similar regimes, the model projects 58.97% by 2026-12-31 ( -0.2% from 59.10% today). The 68% confidence range is 57.30% to 60.63%; the wider 95% range is 55.71% to 62.23%. Methodology below the headline.
Employment-Population Ratio Forecast 2026
Quantitative analysis from 298 observations of Employment-Population Ratio history, joined to four universal macro regime classifications. Numbers are computed, not narrated.
Performance by Window[02]
| WINDOW | N | ANN RET | ANN VOL | RET/VOL | HIT % | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Y | 12 | -1.50% | 0.77% | -1.95 | 18.2% | -1.50% |
| 3Y | 35 | -0.69% | 0.78% | -0.88 | 29.4% | -1.99% |
| 5Y | 60 | 0.45% | 0.89% | 0.50 | 47.5% | 2.25% |
| 10Y | 120 | -0.10% | 5.03% | -0.02 | 46.2% | -1.01% |
| All | 298 | -0.30% | 3.25% | -0.09 | 38.4% | -7.22% |
Annualized total return = (1 + total)^(1/years) - 1. Ret/Vol is the annualized return divided by annualized volatility (Sharpe-equivalent without risk-free subtraction). Hit % = pct of single periods that were positive.
Where We Are Now[03]
Forward Returns by Macro Regime[04]
How Employment-Population Ratio has performed historically conditional on the prevailing macro regime. The current bucket is highlighted; +1Y averages drive the headline signal above.
| REGIME BUCKET | N | +30D | +90D | +1Y AVG | +1Y MED | HIT % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (<15) | 65 | 0.05% | 0.07% | -0.40% | 0.48% | 67.7% |
| Normal (15-25) | 90 | 0.03% | 0.08% | -0.15% | 0.17% | 53.0% |
| Elevated (25-40) | 32 | 0.21% | 0.35% | 0.69% | 0.17% | 50.0% |
| Extreme (>40) | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| REGIME BUCKET | N | +30D | +90D | +1Y AVG | +1Y MED | HIT % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inverted (<0bps) | 27 | -0.01% | -0.09% | -0.31% | -0.50% | 22.2% |
| Flat (0-100bps) | 62 | 0.22% | 0.55% | 0.07% | 0.64% | 69.6% |
| Steep (>100bps) | 100 | 0.02% | -0.00% | -0.06% | 0.32% | 60.0% |
| REGIME BUCKET | N | +30D | +90D | +1Y AVG | +1Y MED | HIT % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tight (<350bps) | 24 | 0.09% | 0.32% | 0.77% | 0.83% | 63.2% |
| Normal (350-500bps) | 45 | 0.09% | 0.15% | -0.77% | 0.33% | 58.1% |
| Stressed (>500bps) | 18 | 0.56% | 1.65% | 2.55% | 0.67% | 100.0% |
| REGIME BUCKET | N | +30D | +90D | +1Y AVG | +1Y MED | HIT % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weak (bottom tercile) | 34 | -0.02% | -0.12% | -0.73% | 0.00% | 41.2% |
| Neutral (middle) | 38 | 0.04% | 0.04% | 0.33% | 0.33% | 64.7% |
| Strong (top tercile) | 77 | 0.16% | 0.39% | -0.08% | 0.51% | 61.3% |
Forward returns are forward-looking from each historical observation in the bucket; +252d corresponds to one trading year. Buckets with fewer than 5 forward-return observations are reported as n/a. These are conditional historical averages, not forecasts.
Lead-Lag Relationships[05]
For each universally-recognised leading indicator, the lag at which the daily-return correlation peaks. Positive lag means the anchor leads Employment-Population Ratio; negative means it lags.
| ANCHOR | ROLE | PEAK LAG | PEAK CORR | ZERO-LAG | RELATIONSHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Jobless Claims | Labor leader | 0d | -0.924 | -0.924 | coincident |
| HY OAS Spread | Credit risk leader | 0d | -0.587 | -0.587 | coincident |
| Baa-10Y Spread | Credit risk (slow) | 0d | -0.492 | -0.492 | coincident |
| 10Y-2Y Yield Spread | Recession leader | -28d | 0.435 | -0.031 | lags target by 28d |
| VIX | Volatility leader | +55d | -0.401 | -0.153 | leads target by 55d |
| 10Y Treasury Yield | Discount-rate driver | 0d | 0.247 | 0.247 | coincident |
| Trade-Weighted Dollar | FX driver | 0d | -0.211 | -0.211 | coincident |
| U-Mich Consumer Sentiment | Survey leader | 0d | 0.205 | 0.205 | coincident |
| Copper | Global growth proxy | +40d | -0.157 | 0.136 | leads target by 40d |
| NFCI | Financial conditions | +21d | -0.042 | -0.025 | weak |
Pearson correlation of daily returns over up to 25 years of overlapping history, searched across a ±60-day lag grid. Indicators classified as “weak” don't have meaningful predictive power at daily resolution; many of these (yield curve, NFCI, sentiment) lead at monthly/quarterly horizons instead.
Historical Analogs[06]
Periods where Employment-Population Ratio sat at a similar percentile rank to today, with what happened over the next 30 / 90 / 252 trading days. Analogs are clustered to avoid double-counting nearby dates.
| DATE | VALUE | +30D | +90D | +1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2021 | 59.0000 | 0.51% | 1.53% | 1.69% |
| Feb 1, 2014 | 58.7000 | 0.34% | 0.51% | 0.85% |
| Sep 1, 2013 | 58.7000 | -0.68% | 0.17% | 0.68% |
| Dec 1, 2012 | 58.7000 | -0.17% | -0.17% | 0.00% |
| Sep 1, 2012 | 58.7000 | 0.17% | -0.17% | 0.00% |
Worst Historical Drawdown[07]
Largest Single-Period Moves[09]
- Jun 1, 20203.80%
- May 1, 20202.93%
- Aug 1, 20202.36%
- Oct 1, 20201.59%
- Jul 1, 20200.91%
- Apr 1, 2020-14.38%
- Mar 1, 2020-2.13%
- Aug 1, 2001-0.78%
- Oct 1, 2013-0.68%
- Sep 1, 2009-0.68%
Calendar-Month Seasonality[10]
Average single-period return aggregated by the calendar month in which the period ended.
| MONTH | AVG RETURN | HIT % | N |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0.03% | 48.0% | 25 |
| February | 0.05% | 44.0% | 25 |
| March | -0.10% | 28.0% | 25 |
| April | -0.59% | 28.0% | 25 |
| May | 0.12% | 41.7% | 24 |
| June | 0.12% | 25.0% | 24 |
| July | 0.05% | 44.0% | 25 |
| August | 0.04% | 32.0% | 25 |
| September | 0.08% | 52.0% | 25 |
| October | -0.04% | 33.3% | 24 |
| November | 0.02% | 40.0% | 25 |
| December | -0.01% | 44.0% | 25 |
N = 298 OBS · GENERATED 2026-05-18 10:00Z
Forecast Approach
regime implied: The current macro regime classification (Goldilocks, Reflation, Stagflation, or Deflation) dictates the expected direction and magnitude of movement, calibrated against historical regime performance.
Consensus source: Bloomberg survey consensus
Key Drivers & Risks
- •Economic growth
- •Monetary policy
- •Fiscal spending
- •Immigration
- •Productivity
Historical Volatility
Low: labor market is a lagging indicator with slow-moving trends
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors could push Employment-Population Ratio higher?▾
The primary drivers that tend to lift Employment-Population Ratio depend on the current macro regime. The labor market is the backbone of the consumer economy. Rising jobless claims and a climbing unemployment rate are classic late-cycle signals that precede recessions and rate cuts. The Fed has a dual mandate, maximum employment and stable prices, so labor data directly influences the path of monetary policy. Convex tracks these drivers live across the Labor Market category and flags when multiple forces align in the same direction. See the "Key Drivers & Risks" section on this page for the current list, and check the regime dashboard for how the macro backdrop is currently tilted.
What factors could push Employment-Population Ratio lower?▾
The same transmission channels that drive Employment-Population Ratio higher operate in reverse when conditions flip. The risk drivers listed above map directly to scenarios that, if triggered, would pull this metric in the opposite direction. Convex aggregates these into a scenario-weighted probability distribution rather than a point forecast, so the magnitude depends on which scenarios activate.
Where does consensus see Employment-Population Ratio heading?▾
Rather than publish a point target that goes stale the day after release, Convex assembles consensus from the macro regime classification, active scenario probabilities, and historical base rates. Point forecasts from banks and strategists are worth reading for context, but they typically cluster around the consensus and miss the tail events that actually move markets. The scenario-weighted approach here captures that tail risk explicitly.
What is the historical range for Employment-Population Ratio?▾
Historical ranges for Employment-Population Ratio vary dramatically by regime. A level that is extreme in Goldilocks can be routine in Stagflation, and vice versa. The Historical Volatility section on this page describes the typical range and regime-specific behavior. For the full multi-decade history, visit the Employment-Population Ratio chart page, which includes selectable time ranges up to five years and downloadable data.
How often is the Employment-Population Ratio forecast updated?▾
This forecast page recalculates whenever the underlying data or regime classification changes, typically within hours of new data releases. The scenario probabilities refresh daily as the macro state is regenerated. Specific drivers listed on this page reflect the current state of the Convex regime engine, not static historical assumptions.
Is this forecast actionable for trading?▾
Convex forecasts are informational and educational. They describe probability distributions and regime-conditional paths rather than specific entry and exit levels. Traders and portfolio managers use them alongside other inputs including position sizing rules, risk management, and their own conviction calibration. They are not investment advice.
Get forecast updates for Employment-Population Ratio and related indicators.
Forecasts are model-based projections derived from current regime classification, scenario probabilities, and historical patterns. They are not investment advice. All investments involve risk.