In the context of Zeta's economy, a recessionary gap occurs when the actual unemployment rate is _____ the natural rate of unemployment.

In Zeta's economy, a recessionary gap occurs when the actual unemployment rate is higher than the natural rate of unemployment. The natural rate of unemployment is the level of unemployment that exists when the economy is healthy and growing. When the actual unemployment rate exceeds this natural rate, it means more people are looking for jobs than there are available positions, indicating that the economy is not performing well. For example, if the natural rate of unemployment is 5% but the actual rate rises to 8%, this gap shows that there are more unemployed people than what is typical for a healthy economy. This situation often leads to decreased consumer spending and lower economic growth, making it important for policymakers to take action.