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 23, 2026 | — | 5.80 | — |
| Sep 23, 2026 | 5.80 | 5.90 | -0.10 |
| Aug 25, 2026 | 5.80 | 5.80 | 0.00 |
| Jul 23, 2026 | 5.80 | 5.80 | 0.00 |
| Jun 24, 2026 | 5.90 | 5.90 | 0.00 |
| May 26, 2026 | 6.00 | 6.00 | 0.00 |
| Apr 24, 2026 | 6.10 | 6.10 | 0.00 |
| Mar 24, 2026 | 6.10 | 6.10 | 0.00 |
| Jan 27, 2026 | 5.70 | 5.70 | 0.00 |
| Dec 23, 2025 | 5.60 | 5.70 | -0.10 |
| Nov 26, 2025 | 5.60 | 5.60 | 0.00 |
| Oct 23, 2025 | 5.60 | 5.60 | 0.00 |
| Sep 23, 2025 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 0.00 |
| Aug 26, 2025 | 5.40 | 5.40 | 0.00 |
| Jul 23, 2025 | 5.20 | 5.10 | +0.10 |
| Jun 25, 2025 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 0.00 |
| May 26, 2025 | 5.20 | 5.20 | 0.00 |
| Apr 24, 2025 | 5.30 | 5.30 | 0.00 |
| Mar 25, 2025 | 5.40 | 5.40 | 0.00 |
| Feb 25, 2025 | 5.40 | 5.40 | 0.00 |
| Jan 27, 2025 | 5.10 | 5.10 | 0.00 |
| Dec 23, 2024 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 0.00 |
| Nov 27, 2024 | 4.90 | 5.00 | -0.10 |
| Oct 23, 2024 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 0.00 |
| Sep 24, 2024 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 0.00 |
| Aug 26, 2024 | 5.00 | 4.90 | +0.10 |
| Jul 23, 2024 | 4.90 | 4.90 | 0.00 |
| Jun 25, 2024 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 0.00 |
| May 27, 2024 | 5.10 | 5.10 | 0.00 |
| Apr 24, 2024 | 5.30 | 5.30 | 0.00 |
| Mar 25, 2024 | 5.40 | 5.40 | 0.00 |
| Feb 23, 2024 | 5.40 | 5.40 | 0.00 |
| Jan 24, 2024 | 5.10 | 5.10 | 0.00 |
| Dec 22, 2023 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 0.00 |
| Nov 24, 2023 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 0.00 |
| Oct 24, 2023 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 0.00 |
| Sep 25, 2023 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 0.00 |
| Aug 24, 2023 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 0.00 |
| Jul 25, 2023 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 0.00 |
| Jun 26, 2023 | 5.10 | 5.10 | 0.00 |
| May 25, 2023 | 5.20 | 5.30 | -0.10 |
| Apr 26, 2023 | 5.40 | 5.40 | 0.00 |
| Mar 23, 2023 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 0.00 |
| Feb 23, 2023 | 5.50 | 5.50 | 0.00 |
| Jan 25, 2023 | 5.20 | 5.20 | 0.00 |
| Dec 23, 2022 | 5.10 | 5.10 | 0.00 |
| Nov 25, 2022 | 5.10 | 5.10 | 0.00 |
| Oct 25, 2022 | 5.10 | 4.80 | +0.30 |
| Sep 23, 2022 | 4.80 | 4.90 | -0.10 |
| Aug 24, 2022 | 4.90 | 4.80 | +0.10 |
| Jul 25, 2022 | 4.90 | 5.00 | -0.10 |
The latest reading is 1.3 standard deviations above the mean.
