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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 30, 2026 | 5.00 | 5.10 | -0.10 |
| Sep 2, 2026 | 5.00 | 5.10 | -0.10 |
| Aug 6, 2026 | 5.00 | 5.10 | -0.10 |
| Jul 6, 2026 | 5.00 | 4.80 | +0.20 |
| Jun 4, 2026 | 4.90 | 4.90 | 0.00 |
| May 7, 2026 | 4.80 | 4.70 | +0.10 |
| Apr 1, 2026 | 5.00 | 4.40 | +0.60 |
| Mar 4, 2026 | 4.60 | 4.70 | -0.10 |
| Feb 5, 2026 | 4.70 | 5.00 | -0.30 |
| Jan 7, 2026 | 5.00 | 4.80 | +0.20 |
| Dec 3, 2025 | 4.90 | 5.10 | -0.20 |
| Nov 5, 2025 | 5.00 | 4.70 | +0.30 |
| Oct 1, 2025 | 4.70 | 4.60 | +0.10 |
| Sep 5, 2025 | 4.70 | 4.90 | -0.20 |
| Aug 7, 2025 | 4.90 | 4.00 | +0.90 |
| Jul 2, 2025 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 0.00 |
| Jun 5, 2025 | 4.00 | 4.10 | -0.10 |
| Apr 30, 2025 | 4.10 | 4.00 | +0.10 |
| Apr 2, 2025 | 4.00 | 3.90 | +0.10 |
| Mar 5, 2025 | 3.90 | 4.00 | -0.10 |
| Feb 6, 2025 | 4.00 | 4.20 | -0.20 |
| Jan 8, 2025 | 4.20 | 4.30 | -0.10 |
| Dec 4, 2024 | 4.10 | 4.20 | -0.10 |
| Nov 6, 2024 | 4.20 | 4.30 | -0.10 |
| Oct 2, 2024 | 4.30 | 4.30 | 0.00 |
| Sep 4, 2024 | 4.30 | 4.70 | -0.40 |
| Aug 6, 2024 | 4.70 | 4.20 | +0.50 |
| Jul 3, 2024 | 4.20 | 4.10 | +0.10 |
| Jun 7, 2024 | 4.00 | 4.50 | -0.50 |
| May 1, 2024 | 4.40 | — | — |
| Apr 4, 2024 | 4.30 | 4.40 | -0.10 |
| Mar 6, 2024 | 4.20 | 4.60 | -0.40 |
| Jan 31, 2024 | 4.50 | 4.90 | -0.40 |
| Jan 10, 2024 | 4.90 | 4.70 | +0.20 |
| Dec 6, 2023 | 4.80 | 5.00 | -0.20 |
| Nov 2, 2023 | 4.80 | 4.20 | +0.60 |
| Oct 4, 2023 | 4.20 | — | — |
| Sep 6, 2023 | 4.10 | — | — |
| Aug 2, 2023 | 4.10 | — | — |
| Jul 5, 2023 | 3.80 | — | — |
| May 31, 2023 | 3.80 | — | — |
| May 4, 2023 | 3.90 | — | — |
| Apr 5, 2023 | 4.30 | — | — |
| Mar 1, 2023 | 4.30 | — | — |
| Feb 1, 2023 | 4.40 | — | — |
| Jan 11, 2023 | 4.30 | — | — |
| Nov 30, 2022 | 4.40 | — | — |
| Nov 3, 2022 | 4.40 | — | — |
| Oct 5, 2022 | 4.30 | — | — |
| Aug 31, 2022 | 4.30 | — | — |
| Date | First print | Current | Revision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 6, 2026 | 5.10 | 5 | -0.10 |
| Apr 1, 2026 | 4.70 | 5 | +0.30 |
The latest reading is 1.3 standard deviations above the mean.
