The labor force equals the:

The labor force is defined as the total number of people who are either employed or actively seeking employment. This includes individuals who currently have jobs and those who do not but are available for work and are actively looking for jobs. By this definition, the answer that reflects the labor force accurately is the combination of employed and unemployed individuals.

This definition is crucial because it underscores the difference between the labor force and other demographics, such as the total working-age population or those not participating in the economy. While the total population of working age encompasses everyone who is potentially able to work, it does not account for those who are not actively engaged in the job market. Similarly, individuals seeking employment only include those actively looking for work, excluding those who are already employed. Lastly, the category comprising those not participating in the economy refers specifically to individuals who are neither working nor actively looking for work, further distinguishing them from the labor force, which is focused on employment status.