Full employment is a term most often used in macroeconomics, which refers to the total number of people employed in an economy at any given time. Full employment occurs when an economy has maximized the number of people in work and therefore reached an active point of economic growth.

At full employment, the active manpower available in the market has been utilized to its fullest capacity and any additional labor would drive the inflation rate up and yield decreasing returns. It is generally accepted that full employment is achieved when the unemployment rate reaches between 4% and 6%. In other words, the entire labor force is participating in the production of goods and services and no more labor can be utilized to increase economic output.

Most economists agree that a certain level of full employment is beneficial for an economy since it ensures that resources are used efficiently. It helps stimulate economic growth by increasing business output and ensuring that all levels of society benefit from the increase in gross domestic product. Additionally, full employment generates higher wages and higher demand for labor, leading to greater job security and disposable income, whilst also encouraging investment and encouraging entrepreneurs to start their own businesses.

However, full employment does not guarantee economic stability as it can lead to an overheated economy. One of the most common problems associated with full employment is an issue called wage inflation. This occurs when nearly everyone available for employment is employed and wages rise due to the high demand for labor. As a result, prices tend to go up, resulting in a period of stagflation when economic growth is stagnant.

Despite this, full employment can still be beneficial for an economy as long as policy measures are taken to ensure that macroeconomic stability is maintained. This might include the implementation of a tax system as well as focusing on ways to increase economic output to help balance the inflation rate.

Overall, full employment is an important concept in macroeconomics and is described as a desirable state of affairs. It can lead to a productive and prosperous economy while allowing labor resources to be used efficiently. However, it is important to take measures to ensure wage inflation does not become problematic and the economy does not become overheated.