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 | — | 4.50 | — |
| Oct 2, 2026 | 2.00 | 2.10 | -0.10 |
| Sep 23, 2026 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 0.00 |
| Aug 28, 2026 | 2.10 | 2.10 | 0.00 |
| Aug 25, 2026 | 4.20 | 4.50 | -0.30 |
| Jul 31, 2026 | 2.10 | 2.10 | 0.00 |
| Jul 21, 2026 | 4.50 | 4.60 | -0.10 |
| Jul 3, 2026 | 1.90 | 1.90 | 0.00 |
| Jun 24, 2026 | 4.40 | 4.60 | -0.20 |
| May 29, 2026 | 1.90 | 2.10 | -0.20 |
| May 26, 2026 | 4.60 | 5.10 | -0.50 |
| Apr 30, 2026 | 2.10 | 2.20 | -0.10 |
| Apr 23, 2026 | 4.90 | 4.90 | 0.00 |
| Mar 27, 2026 | 2.20 | 2.10 | +0.10 |
| Mar 26, 2026 | 4.90 | 4.60 | +0.30 |
| Feb 25, 2026 | 4.60 | 4.30 | +0.30 |
| Jan 22, 2026 | 4.30 | 4.50 | -0.20 |
| Dec 22, 2025 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 0.00 |
| Dec 19, 2025 | 2.10 | 2.20 | -0.10 |
| Nov 28, 2025 | 2.10 | 2.00 | +0.10 |
| Nov 27, 2025 | 4.50 | 4.80 | -0.30 |
| Oct 31, 2025 | 2.00 | 2.10 | -0.10 |
| Oct 23, 2025 | 4.80 | 4.70 | +0.10 |
| Oct 3, 2025 | 2.10 | 2.10 | 0.00 |
| Sep 25, 2025 | 4.90 | 4.50 | +0.40 |
| Aug 29, 2025 | 2.20 | 2.20 | 0.00 |
| Aug 27, 2025 | 4.50 | 5.00 | -0.50 |
| Aug 1, 2025 | 2.20 | — | — |
| Jul 24, 2025 | 5.40 | 4.10 | +1.30 |
| Jun 27, 2025 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 0.00 |
| Jun 26, 2025 | 4.60 | 4.20 | +0.40 |
| May 30, 2025 | 2.00 | 1.90 | +0.10 |
| May 22, 2025 | 4.30 | 4.50 | -0.20 |
| May 2, 2025 | 2.00 | 2.10 | -0.10 |
| Apr 28, 2025 | 4.40 | 4.10 | +0.30 |
| Mar 28, 2025 | 2.10 | — | — |
| Mar 27, 2025 | 3.80 | 3.90 | -0.10 |
| Feb 28, 2025 | 2.20 | — | — |
| Feb 27, 2025 | 3.70 | 4.20 | -0.50 |
| Jan 31, 2025 | 2.30 | — | — |
| Jan 27, 2025 | 4.20 | 3.80 | +0.40 |
| Dec 23, 2024 | 3.70 | 4.10 | -0.40 |
| Nov 27, 2024 | 4.10 | 4.00 | +0.10 |
| Nov 1, 2024 | 1.90 | 2.10 | -0.20 |
| Oct 24, 2024 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 0.00 |
| Sep 26, 2024 | 4.00 | 3.90 | +0.10 |
| Aug 30, 2024 | 2.00 | — | — |
| Aug 26, 2024 | 3.90 | 4.10 | -0.20 |
| Aug 2, 2024 | 2.10 | — | — |
| Jul 25, 2024 | 4.10 | 4.30 | -0.20 |
| Jun 28, 2024 | 1.90 | 2.00 | -0.10 |
The latest reading is 1.1 standard deviations below the mean.
