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 22, 2026 | — | 3.70 | — |
| Sep 17, 2026 | 3.80 | 3.70 | +0.10 |
| Aug 20, 2026 | 3.70 | 3.70 | 0.00 |
| Jul 17, 2026 | 3.70 | 3.70 | 0.00 |
| Jun 16, 2026 | 3.70 | 3.70 | 0.00 |
| May 19, 2026 | 3.70 | 3.70 | 0.00 |
| Apr 23, 2026 | 3.70 | 3.80 | -0.10 |
| Mar 18, 2026 | 3.80 | 3.90 | -0.10 |
| Feb 20, 2026 | 3.90 | 3.80 | +0.10 |
| Jan 20, 2026 | 3.80 | 4.00 | -0.20 |
| Dec 16, 2025 | 3.80 | 3.80 | 0.00 |
| Nov 18, 2025 | 3.80 | 3.80 | 0.00 |
| Oct 20, 2025 | 3.90 | 3.70 | +0.20 |
| Sep 16, 2025 | 3.70 | 3.60 | +0.10 |
| Aug 19, 2025 | 3.70 | 3.50 | +0.20 |
| Jul 17, 2025 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 0.00 |
| Jun 17, 2025 | 3.50 | 3.20 | +0.30 |
| May 20, 2025 | 3.40 | 3.20 | +0.20 |
| Apr 22, 2025 | 3.20 | 3.20 | 0.00 |
| Mar 18, 2025 | 3.20 | 3.10 | +0.10 |
| Feb 18, 2025 | 3.10 | 3.10 | 0.00 |
| Jan 20, 2025 | 3.10 | 3.10 | 0.00 |
| Dec 17, 2024 | 3.10 | 3.10 | 0.00 |
| Nov 18, 2024 | 3.10 | 3.00 | +0.10 |
| Oct 18, 2024 | 3.00 | 3.00 | 0.00 |
| Sep 19, 2024 | 3.00 | 3.00 | 0.00 |
| Aug 16, 2024 | 3.00 | 3.00 | 0.00 |
| Jul 18, 2024 | 3.00 | 3.10 | -0.10 |
| Jun 20, 2024 | 3.00 | 3.00 | 0.00 |
| May 20, 2024 | 3.00 | 3.10 | -0.10 |
| Apr 18, 2024 | 3.00 | 3.20 | -0.20 |
| Mar 18, 2024 | 2.90 | 2.90 | 0.00 |
| Feb 20, 2024 | 2.90 | 2.90 | 0.00 |
| Jan 18, 2024 | 2.90 | 2.90 | 0.00 |
| Dec 19, 2023 | 2.90 | 2.90 | 0.00 |
| Nov 16, 2023 | 2.90 | 2.80 | +0.10 |
| Oct 19, 2023 | 2.80 | 2.90 | -0.10 |
| Sep 19, 2023 | 2.80 | — | — |
| Aug 17, 2023 | 2.80 | 2.80 | 0.00 |
| Jul 18, 2023 | 2.90 | 3.10 | -0.20 |
| Jun 19, 2023 | 3.00 | 2.80 | +0.20 |
| May 18, 2023 | 3.00 | 2.90 | +0.10 |
| Apr 24, 2023 | 3.10 | — | — |
| Mar 16, 2023 | 3.30 | — | — |
| Feb 16, 2023 | 3.40 | — | — |
| Jan 19, 2023 | 3.50 | — | — |
| Dec 16, 2022 | 3.70 | — | — |
| Nov 17, 2022 | 3.80 | — | — |
| Oct 20, 2022 | 3.90 | — | — |
| Sep 19, 2022 | 4.10 | — | — |
| Aug 17, 2022 | 4.30 | — | — |
The latest reading is 1.3 standard deviations above the mean.
