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 | — | 7.50 | — |
| Sep 30, 2026 | 7.40 | 8.00 | -0.60 |
| Sep 4, 2026 | 7.90 | — | — |
| Aug 31, 2026 | 7.90 | 7.90 | 0.00 |
| Jul 29, 2026 | 8.10 | 7.60 | +0.50 |
| Jul 1, 2026 | 7.80 | 9.60 | -1.80 |
| Jun 5, 2026 | 10.60 | — | — |
| May 29, 2026 | 9.50 | 9.20 | +0.30 |
| Apr 29, 2026 | 10.40 | 8.40 | +2.00 |
| Apr 1, 2026 | 8.60 | 7.60 | +1.00 |
| Mar 6, 2026 | 8.30 | — | — |
| Mar 3, 2026 | 7.70 | 7.50 | +0.20 |
| Jan 29, 2026 | 7.50 | 8.10 | -0.60 |
| Jan 2, 2026 | 8.20 | 8.80 | -0.60 |
| Dec 4, 2025 | 8.20 | — | — |
| Dec 2, 2025 | 8.60 | 8.30 | +0.30 |
| Oct 30, 2025 | 8.20 | 8.20 | 0.00 |
| Oct 2, 2025 | 8.10 | 8.30 | -0.20 |
| Sep 1, 2025 | 9.00 | 8.00 | +1.00 |
| Jul 2, 2025 | 7.90 | 8.10 | -0.20 |
| Jun 5, 2025 | 10.40 | — | — |
| May 30, 2025 | 8.30 | 9.00 | -0.70 |
| Apr 30, 2025 | 9.00 | 8.50 | +0.50 |
| Apr 1, 2025 | 8.60 | 8.80 | -0.20 |
| Mar 4, 2025 | 8.70 | 9.40 | -0.70 |
| Jan 30, 2025 | 9.40 | 9.60 | -0.20 |
| Jan 3, 2025 | 9.60 | 9.80 | -0.20 |
| Nov 29, 2024 | 9.80 | 9.30 | +0.50 |
| Oct 31, 2024 | 9.30 | 9.50 | -0.20 |
| Oct 1, 2024 | 9.50 | 9.70 | -0.20 |
| Sep 5, 2024 | 9.80 | — | — |
| Aug 29, 2024 | 9.90 | 9.60 | +0.30 |
| Jul 31, 2024 | 9.60 | 10.70 | -1.10 |
| Jul 1, 2024 | 10.60 | 10.70 | -0.10 |
| Jun 6, 2024 | 12.10 | — | — |
| May 30, 2024 | 10.80 | 10.30 | +0.50 |
| May 2, 2024 | 10.20 | — | — |
| Apr 1, 2024 | 11.00 | 10.30 | +0.70 |
| Mar 1, 2024 | 10.40 | 9.20 | +1.20 |
| Feb 1, 2024 | 9.20 | 9.40 | -0.20 |
| Jan 4, 2024 | 9.40 | 9.50 | -0.10 |
| Nov 30, 2023 | 9.60 | 10.00 | -0.40 |
| Nov 3, 2023 | 10.00 | 10.70 | -0.70 |
| Oct 2, 2023 | 10.90 | — | — |
| Sep 5, 2023 | 10.80 | — | — |
| Aug 1, 2023 | 11.10 | — | — |
| Jun 30, 2023 | 10.80 | — | — |
| Jun 1, 2023 | 11.20 | — | — |
| May 3, 2023 | 10.90 | — | — |
| Mar 31, 2023 | 11.40 | — | — |
| Mar 2, 2023 | 10.80 | — | — |
| Date | First print | Current | Revision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 29, 2026 | 8 | 8.10 | +0.10 |
| Jul 1, 2026 | 8.10 | 7.80 | -0.30 |
| Apr 29, 2026 | 9 | 10.4 | +1.40 |
| Apr 1, 2026 | 8.50 | 8.60 | +0.10 |
The latest reading is 1.6 standard deviations below the mean.
