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 19, 2026 | — | 5.30 | — |
| Sep 15, 2026 | 5.30 | 5.20 | +0.10 |
| Aug 17, 2026 | 5.20 | 5.10 | +0.10 |
| Jul 15, 2026 | 5.00 | 5.10 | -0.10 |
| Jun 16, 2026 | 5.10 | 5.20 | -0.10 |
| May 18, 2026 | 5.20 | 5.30 | -0.10 |
| Apr 16, 2026 | 5.40 | 5.20 | +0.20 |
| Mar 16, 2026 | 5.30 | 5.10 | +0.20 |
| Jan 19, 2026 | 5.10 | 5.20 | -0.10 |
| Dec 15, 2025 | 5.10 | 5.10 | 0.00 |
| Nov 14, 2025 | 5.10 | 5.20 | -0.10 |
| Oct 20, 2025 | 5.20 | 5.30 | -0.10 |
| Sep 15, 2025 | 5.30 | 5.20 | +0.10 |
| Aug 15, 2025 | 5.20 | 5.10 | +0.10 |
| Jul 15, 2025 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 0.00 |
| Jun 16, 2025 | 5.00 | 5.10 | -0.10 |
| May 19, 2025 | 5.10 | 5.20 | -0.10 |
| Apr 16, 2025 | 5.20 | 5.30 | -0.10 |
| Mar 17, 2025 | 5.40 | 5.10 | +0.30 |
| Jan 17, 2025 | 5.10 | 5.00 | +0.10 |
| Dec 16, 2024 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 0.00 |
| Nov 15, 2024 | 5.00 | 5.10 | -0.10 |
| Oct 18, 2024 | 5.10 | 5.30 | -0.20 |
| Sep 14, 2024 | 5.30 | 5.20 | +0.10 |
| Aug 15, 2024 | 5.20 | 5.10 | +0.10 |
| Jul 15, 2024 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 0.00 |
| Jun 17, 2024 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 0.00 |
| May 17, 2024 | 5.00 | 5.20 | -0.20 |
| Apr 16, 2024 | 5.20 | 5.20 | 0.00 |
| Mar 18, 2024 | 5.30 | 5.10 | +0.20 |
| Jan 17, 2024 | 5.10 | 5.00 | +0.10 |
| Dec 15, 2023 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 0.00 |
| Nov 15, 2023 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 0.00 |
| Oct 18, 2023 | 5.00 | 5.20 | -0.20 |
| Sep 15, 2023 | 5.20 | 5.40 | -0.20 |
| Aug 15, 2023 | 5.30 | 5.20 | +0.10 |
| Jul 17, 2023 | 5.20 | 5.30 | -0.10 |
| Jun 15, 2023 | 5.20 | 5.20 | 0.00 |
| May 16, 2023 | 5.20 | 5.30 | -0.10 |
| Apr 18, 2023 | 5.30 | 5.50 | -0.20 |
| Mar 15, 2023 | 5.60 | 5.50 | +0.10 |
| Jan 17, 2023 | 5.50 | 5.90 | -0.40 |
| Dec 15, 2022 | 5.70 | 5.50 | +0.20 |
| Nov 15, 2022 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 0.00 |
| Oct 24, 2022 | 5.50 | 5.20 | +0.30 |
| Sep 16, 2022 | 5.30 | 5.40 | -0.10 |
| Aug 15, 2022 | 5.40 | 5.50 | -0.10 |
| Jul 15, 2022 | 5.50 | 5.90 | -0.40 |
| Jun 15, 2022 | 5.90 | 6.10 | -0.20 |
| May 16, 2022 | 6.10 | — | — |
| Apr 18, 2022 | 5.80 | 5.50 | +0.30 |
The latest reading is within its usual range, less than one standard deviation from the mean.
