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 8, 2026 | 5.00 | 5.10 | -0.10 |
| Sep 8, 2026 | 5.00 | 5.10 | -0.10 |
| Aug 10, 2026 | 5.00 | 4.90 | +0.10 |
| Jul 9, 2026 | 4.80 | 4.80 | 0.00 |
| Jun 8, 2026 | 4.80 | 4.80 | 0.00 |
| May 12, 2026 | 4.90 | 4.80 | +0.10 |
| Apr 10, 2026 | 5.00 | 5.10 | -0.10 |
| Mar 9, 2026 | 5.20 | 5.10 | +0.10 |
| Feb 9, 2026 | 5.10 | 5.00 | +0.10 |
| Dec 8, 2025 | 4.60 | 4.70 | -0.10 |
| Nov 10, 2025 | 4.60 | 4.50 | +0.10 |
| Oct 8, 2025 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 0.00 |
| Sep 8, 2025 | 4.50 | 4.40 | +0.10 |
| Aug 8, 2025 | 4.40 | 4.40 | 0.00 |
| Jul 8, 2025 | 4.20 | 4.20 | 0.00 |
| Jun 9, 2025 | 4.20 | 4.20 | 0.00 |
| May 12, 2025 | 4.30 | 4.20 | +0.10 |
| Apr 8, 2025 | 4.30 | 4.30 | 0.00 |
| Mar 10, 2025 | 4.40 | 4.30 | +0.10 |
| Feb 10, 2025 | 4.30 | 4.30 | 0.00 |
| Jan 9, 2025 | 4.10 | 4.10 | 0.00 |
| Dec 9, 2024 | 3.90 | 3.80 | +0.10 |
| Nov 8, 2024 | 3.80 | 3.80 | 0.00 |
| Oct 8, 2024 | 3.90 | 3.80 | +0.10 |
| Sep 9, 2024 | 3.80 | 3.80 | 0.00 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | 3.80 | 3.80 | 0.00 |
| Jul 9, 2024 | 3.60 | 3.60 | 0.00 |
| Jun 10, 2024 | 3.60 | 3.70 | -0.10 |
| May 10, 2024 | 3.70 | 3.70 | 0.00 |
| Apr 9, 2024 | 3.90 | 3.80 | +0.10 |
| Mar 8, 2024 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 0.00 |
| Feb 8, 2024 | 4.00 | 3.90 | +0.10 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | 3.70 | 3.70 | 0.00 |
| Dec 8, 2023 | 3.50 | 3.60 | -0.10 |
| Nov 8, 2023 | 3.50 | 3.60 | -0.10 |
| Oct 9, 2023 | 3.60 | 3.50 | +0.10 |
| Sep 8, 2023 | 3.60 | 3.60 | 0.00 |
| Aug 8, 2023 | 3.50 | 3.60 | -0.10 |
| Jul 12, 2023 | 3.40 | 3.40 | 0.00 |
| Jun 8, 2023 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 0.00 |
| May 10, 2023 | 3.60 | 3.60 | 0.00 |
| Apr 12, 2023 | 3.70 | 3.80 | -0.10 |
| Mar 8, 2023 | 3.90 | 3.90 | 0.00 |
| Feb 8, 2023 | 3.90 | 4.00 | -0.10 |
| Jan 9, 2023 | 3.70 | 3.80 | -0.10 |
| Dec 8, 2022 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 0.00 |
| Nov 8, 2022 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 0.00 |
| Oct 10, 2022 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 0.00 |
| Sep 8, 2022 | 3.40 | 3.30 | +0.10 |
| Aug 8, 2022 | 3.30 | 3.20 | +0.10 |
The latest reading is 1.5 standard deviations above the mean.
