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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 6, 2026 | — | 5.20 | — |
| Oct 7, 2026 | 5.30 | 6.00 | -0.70 |
| Sep 8, 2026 | 6.00 | 5.00 | +1.00 |
| Aug 6, 2026 | 4.90 | 4.50 | +0.40 |
| Jul 8, 2026 | 4.80 | 4.70 | +0.10 |
| Jun 9, 2026 | 4.70 | 5.00 | -0.30 |
| May 6, 2026 | 5.00 | 4.30 | +0.70 |
| Apr 8, 2026 | 5.10 | 5.50 | -0.40 |
| Mar 13, 2026 | 5.80 | 4.40 | +1.40 |
| Feb 6, 2026 | 4.40 | 4.20 | +0.20 |
| Jan 7, 2026 | 4.40 | 5.00 | -0.60 |
| Dec 10, 2025 | 5.00 | 3.80 | +1.20 |
| Nov 6, 2025 | 3.80 | 4.10 | -0.30 |
| Oct 8, 2025 | 3.90 | 4.80 | -0.90 |
| Sep 10, 2025 | 5.30 | 3.60 | +1.70 |
| Aug 6, 2025 | 3.70 | 4.00 | -0.30 |
| Jul 8, 2025 | 3.90 | 4.00 | -0.10 |
| Jun 6, 2025 | 4.10 | 3.90 | +0.20 |
| May 7, 2025 | 3.90 | 3.30 | +0.60 |
| Apr 8, 2025 | 3.80 | 3.90 | -0.10 |
| Mar 6, 2025 | 4.30 | 3.10 | +1.20 |
| Feb 6, 2025 | 3.10 | 3.30 | -0.20 |
| Jan 8, 2025 | 3.20 | — | — |
| Dec 6, 2024 | 3.90 | 3.60 | +0.30 |
| Nov 6, 2024 | 3.70 | 4.40 | -0.70 |
| Oct 8, 2024 | 4.00 | 4.80 | -0.80 |
| Sep 6, 2024 | 4.70 | — | — |
| Aug 7, 2024 | 3.10 | 4.70 | -1.60 |
| Jul 9, 2024 | 4.10 | 4.10 | 0.00 |
| Jun 6, 2024 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 0.00 |
| May 8, 2024 | 3.90 | 4.80 | -0.90 |
| Apr 11, 2024 | 3.50 | 4.50 | -1.00 |
| Mar 8, 2024 | 4.50 | 3.20 | +1.30 |
| Feb 7, 2024 | 3.10 | 3.60 | -0.50 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | 3.60 | 4.20 | -0.60 |
| Dec 7, 2023 | 4.20 | 4.60 | -0.40 |
| Nov 8, 2023 | 4.50 | 4.80 | -0.30 |
| Oct 6, 2023 | 4.40 | — | — |
| Sep 8, 2023 | 4.80 | — | — |
| Aug 9, 2023 | 4.50 | — | — |
| Jul 7, 2023 | 4.30 | — | — |
| Jun 9, 2023 | 4.50 | — | — |
| May 8, 2023 | 4.70 | — | — |
| Apr 11, 2023 | 4.80 | — | — |
| Mar 9, 2023 | 4.80 | — | — |
| Feb 8, 2023 | 4.30 | — | — |
| Jan 6, 2023 | 4.20 | — | — |
| Dec 7, 2022 | 4.50 | — | — |
| Nov 8, 2022 | 5.00 | — | — |
| Oct 6, 2022 | 5.30 | — | — |
| Sep 8, 2022 | 5.20 | — | — |
The latest reading is 1.5 standard deviations above the mean.
