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 16, 2026 | 8.10 | 8.60 | -0.50 |
| Sep 16, 2026 | 8.50 | 8.20 | +0.30 |
| Aug 21, 2026 | 7.80 | 9.50 | -1.70 |
| Jul 24, 2026 | 9.90 | 8.60 | +1.30 |
| Jun 15, 2026 | 9.40 | 8.50 | +0.90 |
| May 21, 2026 | 8.70 | 9.60 | -0.90 |
| Apr 22, 2026 | 9.70 | 8.60 | +1.10 |
| Mar 13, 2026 | 8.80 | 8.40 | +0.40 |
| Mar 11, 2026 | 6.80 | — | — |
| Feb 16, 2026 | 8.60 | 9.50 | -0.90 |
| Dec 12, 2025 | 8.20 | 9.10 | -0.90 |
| Nov 14, 2025 | 8.90 | 8.00 | +0.90 |
| Oct 17, 2025 | 8.30 | 8.60 | -0.30 |
| Sep 17, 2025 | 8.40 | 8.10 | +0.30 |
| Aug 22, 2025 | 8.00 | 7.00 | +1.00 |
| Aug 13, 2025 | 7.10 | — | — |
| Jul 25, 2025 | 9.40 | 8.80 | +0.60 |
| Jul 16, 2025 | 6.90 | — | — |
| Jun 17, 2025 | 9.70 | 8.70 | +1.00 |
| May 23, 2025 | 8.90 | 8.30 | +0.60 |
| May 14, 2025 | 6.90 | — | — |
| Apr 22, 2025 | 8.50 | 9.10 | -0.60 |
| Mar 14, 2025 | 9.40 | 10.40 | -1.00 |
| Mar 12, 2025 | 7.20 | — | — |
| Feb 17, 2025 | 10.40 | 8.60 | +1.80 |
| Feb 12, 2025 | 7.20 | — | — |
| Jan 24, 2025 | 8.00 | 7.40 | +0.60 |
| Jan 15, 2025 | 7.10 | — | — |
| Dec 13, 2024 | 7.40 | 7.80 | -0.40 |
| Nov 15, 2024 | 7.80 | 8.30 | -0.50 |
| Oct 18, 2024 | 8.20 | 7.80 | +0.40 |
| Sep 18, 2024 | 7.90 | 7.90 | 0.00 |
| Aug 23, 2024 | 7.70 | 9.40 | -1.70 |
| Aug 13, 2024 | 6.80 | — | — |
| Jul 26, 2024 | 9.40 | 9.00 | +0.40 |
| Jul 11, 2024 | 6.60 | — | — |
| Jun 19, 2024 | 8.70 | — | — |
| May 22, 2024 | 8.90 | 9.00 | -0.10 |
| Apr 24, 2024 | 9.20 | 7.90 | +1.30 |
| Mar 15, 2024 | 8.50 | 9.00 | -0.50 |
| Mar 12, 2024 | 6.80 | — | — |
| Feb 16, 2024 | 8.50 | 8.20 | +0.30 |
| Feb 13, 2024 | 6.80 | — | — |
| Jan 26, 2024 | 7.70 | 7.30 | +0.40 |
| Dec 15, 2023 | 7.10 | 6.90 | +0.20 |
| Nov 17, 2023 | 7.40 | 7.80 | -0.40 |
| Oct 20, 2023 | 7.70 | 6.30 | +1.40 |
| Sep 20, 2023 | 7.70 | 6.80 | +0.90 |
| Aug 25, 2023 | 6.20 | 7.80 | -1.60 |
| Jul 28, 2023 | 9.20 | 7.60 | +1.60 |
| Date | First print | Current | Revision |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2026 | 6.50 | 8.70 | +2.20 |
The latest reading is within its usual range, less than one standard deviation from the mean.
