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 15, 2026 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 0.00 |
| Sep 17, 2026 | 4.00 | 4.10 | -0.10 |
| Aug 20, 2026 | 4.00 | 3.90 | +0.10 |
| Jul 16, 2026 | 3.80 | 4.10 | -0.30 |
| Jun 18, 2026 | 3.90 | 4.10 | -0.20 |
| May 21, 2026 | 3.90 | 4.00 | -0.10 |
| Apr 16, 2026 | 4.00 | 4.10 | -0.10 |
| Mar 19, 2026 | 4.10 | 4.10 | 0.00 |
| Feb 19, 2026 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 0.00 |
| Jan 15, 2026 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 0.00 |
| Dec 18, 2025 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 0.00 |
| Nov 20, 2025 | 4.00 | 3.80 | +0.20 |
| Oct 16, 2025 | 4.00 | 3.80 | +0.20 |
| Sep 18, 2025 | 3.90 | 3.80 | +0.10 |
| Aug 21, 2025 | 3.80 | 3.70 | +0.10 |
| Jul 17, 2025 | 3.80 | 3.70 | +0.10 |
| Jun 19, 2025 | 3.80 | 3.70 | +0.10 |
| May 15, 2025 | 3.80 | 3.80 | 0.00 |
| Apr 17, 2025 | 3.90 | 3.70 | +0.20 |
| Mar 20, 2025 | 3.80 | 3.80 | 0.00 |
| Feb 20, 2025 | 3.80 | 3.70 | +0.10 |
| Jan 16, 2025 | 3.70 | 3.80 | -0.10 |
| Dec 19, 2024 | 3.70 | 3.60 | +0.10 |
| Nov 21, 2024 | 3.70 | 3.60 | +0.10 |
| Oct 17, 2024 | 3.70 | 4.00 | -0.30 |
| Sep 19, 2024 | 3.70 | 3.60 | +0.10 |
| Aug 15, 2024 | 3.60 | 3.50 | +0.10 |
| Jul 18, 2024 | 3.60 | 3.80 | -0.20 |
| Jun 20, 2024 | 3.60 | 3.70 | -0.10 |
| May 16, 2024 | 3.70 | 3.60 | +0.10 |
| Apr 18, 2024 | 3.60 | 3.70 | -0.10 |
| Mar 21, 2024 | 3.70 | 3.60 | +0.10 |
| Feb 15, 2024 | 3.60 | 3.70 | -0.10 |
| Jan 18, 2024 | 3.60 | 3.60 | 0.00 |
| Dec 21, 2023 | 3.50 | 3.70 | -0.20 |
| Nov 16, 2023 | 3.60 | 3.70 | -0.10 |
| Oct 19, 2023 | 3.70 | 3.70 | 0.00 |
| Sep 21, 2023 | 3.60 | — | — |
| Aug 17, 2023 | 3.60 | — | — |
| Jul 20, 2023 | 3.50 | — | — |
| Jun 15, 2023 | 3.50 | — | — |
| May 17, 2023 | 3.40 | — | — |
| Apr 20, 2023 | 3.50 | — | — |
| Mar 16, 2023 | 3.50 | — | — |
| Feb 16, 2023 | 3.60 | — | — |
| Jan 19, 2023 | 3.50 | — | — |
| Dec 15, 2022 | 3.60 | — | — |
| Nov 17, 2022 | 3.70 | — | — |
| Oct 20, 2022 | 3.80 | — | — |
| Sep 15, 2022 | 3.80 | — | — |
The latest reading is 1.3 standard deviations above the mean.
