The Unemployment Rate represents the percentage of the total labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment during the previous month. It is one of the most closely watched economic indicators as it reflects the health of the labor market and overall economic vitality. A declining rate suggests economic expansion and potential upward pressure on wages.
The rate is derived from the Household Survey (Current Population Survey) conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, covering approximately 60,000 households.
| Date | Actual | Forecast | Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 29, 2026 | — | 9.00 | — |
| Sep 30, 2026 | 9.60 | 9.50 | +0.10 |
| Aug 28, 2026 | 9.50 | 9.40 | +0.10 |
| Jul 31, 2026 | 9.40 | 9.40 | 0.00 |
| Jun 30, 2026 | 9.40 | 9.10 | +0.30 |
| May 29, 2026 | 9.10 | 8.90 | +0.20 |
| Apr 29, 2026 | 8.90 | 8.60 | +0.30 |
| Mar 30, 2026 | 8.30 | 8.50 | -0.20 |
| Feb 27, 2026 | 8.30 | 8.00 | +0.30 |
| Jan 29, 2026 | 8.00 | 8.30 | -0.30 |
| Dec 30, 2025 | 8.40 | 8.30 | +0.10 |
| Nov 28, 2025 | 8.40 | 8.40 | 0.00 |
| Oct 29, 2025 | 8.50 | 8.50 | 0.00 |
| Sep 30, 2025 | 8.60 | 8.70 | -0.10 |
| Aug 29, 2025 | 8.70 | 9.10 | -0.40 |
| Jul 30, 2025 | 8.90 | 9.00 | -0.10 |
| Jun 30, 2025 | 8.90 | 8.90 | 0.00 |
| May 29, 2025 | 8.80 | 8.60 | +0.20 |
| Apr 29, 2025 | 8.70 | 8.60 | +0.10 |
| Mar 28, 2025 | 8.40 | 8.10 | +0.30 |
| Feb 28, 2025 | 8.00 | 8.20 | -0.20 |
| Jan 31, 2025 | 8.10 | 8.00 | +0.10 |
| Dec 30, 2024 | 8.20 | 8.50 | -0.30 |
| Nov 29, 2024 | 8.60 | 8.70 | -0.10 |
| Oct 29, 2024 | 8.70 | 8.90 | -0.20 |
| Sep 30, 2024 | 8.90 | 8.70 | +0.20 |
| Aug 29, 2024 | 8.70 | 8.50 | +0.20 |
| Jul 31, 2024 | 8.30 | 8.30 | 0.00 |
| Jun 28, 2024 | 8.30 | 8.50 | -0.20 |
| May 30, 2024 | 8.50 | 8.50 | 0.00 |
| Apr 30, 2024 | 8.70 | 8.70 | 0.00 |
| Mar 28, 2024 | 8.50 | 8.60 | -0.10 |
| Feb 28, 2024 | 8.40 | 8.60 | -0.20 |
| Jan 30, 2024 | 8.50 | 8.70 | -0.20 |
| Dec 29, 2023 | 8.70 | 8.80 | -0.10 |
| Nov 29, 2023 | 8.90 | 8.80 | +0.10 |
| Oct 31, 2023 | 8.90 | 9.10 | -0.20 |
The latest reading is 2.4 standard deviations above the mean.
