Forecasters expect the U.S. Labor Department to report Friday that the U.S. economy added 204,000 jobs in February, down from 243,000 in January. My estimate is 180,000.

Despite anecdotal reports of new hiring and consumer optimism, weaker jobs gains are likely for the next few months because real consumer spending, the largest component of economic growth, was flat in November, December and January. Auto sales are doing well but higher gasoline prices are crowding out most discretionary purchases.

Unemployment is expected to remain at 8.3 percent in February, as jobs creation barely outpaces population growth. Over the past three years, the percentage of adults participating in the labor force -- those employed, self-employed or unemployed but looking for work -- declined significantly. If the adult participation rate was the same today as when Barack Obama became president, unemployment would be 11 percent.

Adding adults on the sidelines, those who say they would re-enter the labor market if conditions improved and part-time workers who would prefer full-time positions, the unemployment rate becomes 15.2 percent. Factoring in college graduates in low-skill positions, like counterwork at Starbucks, and unemployment is closer to 20 percent.

Too little economic growth

Fourth quarter economic growth was 3.0 percent but for all 2011 it averaged only 1.7 percent.

Stronger real consumer spending in September and October, plus a surge in inventory investment and multi-family home construction, pushed up fourth quarter growth. However, the increase in household spending outpaced disposable income, debt piled up and consumer activity stalled the next three months. In addition, higher gasoline prices are absorbing too much of the modest advances in nominal household income.

Sluggish consumer spending indicates businesses will have trouble unloading unsold goods and slow inventory investments and together those will lower first quarter growth. A bit stronger non-residential construction and auto sales will help but overall gross domestic product will grow at or less than 2 percent in the first quarter -- hardly enough to inspire businesses to add many more workers.

For the second quarter, things look brighter. Consumers will have assimilated higher gasoline prices and consolidated their credit positions by April and further growth in household income should result in stronger real consumer outlays beyond the auto sector.

New policies needed

The economy must grow 3 percent -- long term -- to keep unemployment steady because advances in technology permit labor productivity to increase 2 percent each year and population growth pushes up the labor force about 1 percent.

If conditions are mediocre and businesses cautious, productivity can slip -- equipment and computers are kept beyond their economically useful lives. Then unemployment can be kept steady with 2.5 percent growth or even 2 percent but that poses risks.

The economy growing 2 percent or even 2.5 percent is like an airplane flying at low altitude. The plane can keep going but the slightest unexpected obstacle and the plane ditches -- such difficulties may soon emerge in Europe or China.

The economy must add 13.2 million jobs over the next three years -- 367,000 each month -- to bring unemployment down to 6 percent. GDP would have to increase at a 4-5 percent pace -- that is possible after a long, deep recession but for chronically weak demand for U.S.-made goods and services.

Oil and trade with China account for nearly the entire $550 billion trade deficit and

dollars sent abroad to purchase oil and Chinese goods that don't return to purchase U.S. exports are lost purchasing power. Consequently, the U.S. economy is growing at 2 percent instead of the 4-5 percent pace that is possible after a long and deep recession.

Without prompt efforts to produce more domestic oil and redress the trade imbalance with China and the rest of Asia, the U.S. economy cannot grow and create enough jobs.

(Peter Morici is a professor at the Smith School of Business, University of Maryland School, and former chief economist at the U.S. International Trade Commission.)

(United Press International's "Outside View" commentaries are written by outside contributors who specialize in a variety of important issues. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of United Press International. In the interests of creating an open forum, original submissions are invited.)