the economy. Furthermore, it is debatable how much effect any president realistically could have on a system as large, diverse, and complex as the U.S. economy. Nevertheless, the nonfarm payrolls number is the one most frequently used in the media and by economists, largely because the alternative (household survey numbers) is thought to drastically overestimate employment. Another factor to consider is population growth, which provides opportunities for the creation of jobs, rendering these figures less impressive, or in the case of the already subpar, clearly insufficient. The Heritage Foundation has pointed to Alan Greenspan's general economic optimism (in 2004) as support for household survey numbers over payroll numbers. However, the subsequent downturn, and Greenspan's admission of having been wrong, may have discredited that view. Job creation Job creation by U.S. presidential four-year term Numbers listed from 1941 and onward are BLS data of nonfarm jobs (in thousands), and are shown from the year beginning and ending each presidential term. The monthly statistics are quoted from January, as U.S. presidents take office at the end of that month. **In thousands. Approximate Job creation by U.S. presidency For information on the United States public debt divided by gross domestic product by presidential term, see National debt by U.S. presidential terms Graphs and data The Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) database contains the total nonfarm employment level. A graph with a simple download of data on jobs by month since the late 1930s is available here: Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) Database-Total Non-Farm Employment (PAYEMS Data Series) . See also U.S. economic performance under Democratic and Republican presidents External links and references BLS Employment Situation Archived News Releases BLS Employment Situation Explanatory Note Jobs Created During Each Presidency Term Economy of the United States Employment in the United States Lists relating to the United States presidency