Exploring the Determinants of Regional Unemployment Disparities in Small Data Sets

While standard economic theory suggests that unemployment should be evenly distributed across space, casual observation of unemployment rates shows that this is not the case. This has led to the development of a substantial literature on the topic. Due to the complexity of the problem, it is not always clear what the root cause is. This is particularly true when considering a small geographic area with limited data. This article will explore what insights can be gained through the use of formal concept analysis and association rules. It is hoped that these techniques will be of use to both theoreticians and policy makers.