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 30, 2026 | — | 8.00 | — |
| Sep 30, 2026 | 9.40 | 8.10 | +1.30 |
| Aug 31, 2026 | 8.10 | 8.10 | 0.00 |
| Jul 31, 2026 | 8.00 | 8.10 | -0.10 |
| Jun 30, 2026 | 8.00 | 8.90 | -0.90 |
| May 29, 2026 | 8.80 | 8.80 | 0.00 |
| Apr 30, 2026 | 8.80 | 8.60 | +0.20 |
| Mar 31, 2026 | 9.20 | 9.50 | -0.30 |
| Feb 27, 2026 | 10.90 | 8.30 | +2.60 |
| Jan 30, 2026 | 8.00 | 8.30 | -0.30 |
| Dec 31, 2025 | 7.00 | 8.00 | -1.00 |
| Nov 28, 2025 | 8.20 | 8.20 | 0.00 |
| Oct 31, 2025 | 8.20 | 8.50 | -0.30 |
| Sep 30, 2025 | 8.60 | 8.70 | -0.10 |
| Aug 29, 2025 | 8.80 | 8.90 | -0.10 |
| Jul 31, 2025 | 8.60 | 9.20 | -0.60 |
| Jun 27, 2025 | 9.00 | 8.50 | +0.50 |
| May 30, 2025 | 8.80 | 10.00 | -1.20 |
| Apr 30, 2025 | 9.60 | 10.90 | -1.30 |
| Mar 31, 2025 | 10.30 | 11.10 | -0.80 |
| Feb 28, 2025 | 11.60 | 9.00 | +2.60 |
| Jan 31, 2025 | 9.10 | 8.50 | +0.60 |
| Dec 27, 2024 | 8.20 | 9.20 | -1.00 |
| Nov 29, 2024 | 9.10 | 9.30 | -0.20 |
| Oct 31, 2024 | 9.10 | 9.60 | -0.50 |
| Sep 30, 2024 | 9.70 | 9.75 | -0.05 |
| Aug 30, 2024 | 9.90 | 10.10 | -0.20 |
| Jul 31, 2024 | 10.30 | 10.30 | 0.00 |
| Jun 28, 2024 | 10.30 | 10.50 | -0.20 |
| May 31, 2024 | 10.60 | 11.50 | -0.90 |
| Apr 30, 2024 | 11.30 | 10.40 | +0.90 |
| Mar 27, 2024 | 11.70 | 10.80 | +0.90 |
| Feb 29, 2024 | 12.70 | 11.20 | +1.50 |
| Jan 31, 2024 | 10.00 | 9.10 | +0.90 |
| Dec 29, 2023 | 9.00 | 9.10 | -0.10 |
| Nov 30, 2023 | 9.20 | 9.00 | +0.20 |
| Oct 31, 2023 | 9.30 | 9.30 | 0.00 |
| Sep 29, 2023 | 9.30 | 10.00 | -0.70 |
| Aug 31, 2023 | 9.60 | 9.90 | -0.30 |
| Jul 31, 2023 | 9.30 | — | — |
| Jun 30, 2023 | 10.50 | 10.70 | -0.20 |
| May 31, 2023 | 10.70 | — | — |
| Apr 28, 2023 | 10.00 | — | — |
| Mar 31, 2023 | 11.40 | 12.70 | -1.30 |
| Feb 28, 2023 | 13.70 | — | — |
| Jan 31, 2023 | 10.30 | — | — |
| Dec 30, 2022 | 9.50 | — | — |
| Nov 30, 2022 | 9.90 | — | — |
| Oct 31, 2022 | 10.70 | — | — |
| Sep 30, 2022 | 10.60 | — | — |
| Aug 31, 2022 | 11.00 | — | — |
The latest reading is within its usual range, less than one standard deviation from the mean.
