U3 http://stats.oecd.org/index.aspx?queryid=36324 http://stats.oecd.org/index.aspx?queryid=36324 One of the reasons the U3 definition won't be changed (or alt

U3 http://stats.oecd.org/index.aspx?queryid=36324 http://stats.oecd.org/index.aspx?queryid=36324 One of the reasons the U3 definition won't be changed (or alternately, why the other U rates were created) is that it's harmonized with the other OECD countries' rates. So, say, a 6% unemployment rate means the same thing in the U.S., Germany, Japan, Greece, etc.