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 | — | 3.32 | — |
| Sep 22, 2026 | 3.32 | 3.34 | -0.02 |
| Aug 24, 2026 | 3.33 | 3.34 | -0.01 |
| Jul 22, 2026 | 3.33 | 3.36 | -0.03 |
| Jun 23, 2026 | 3.32 | 3.40 | -0.08 |
| May 22, 2026 | 3.34 | 3.30 | +0.04 |
| Apr 23, 2026 | 3.35 | 3.30 | +0.05 |
| Mar 26, 2026 | 3.33 | 3.40 | -0.07 |
| Feb 25, 2026 | 3.36 | 3.40 | -0.04 |
| Jan 22, 2026 | 3.35 | 3.40 | -0.05 |
| Dec 22, 2025 | 3.35 | 3.30 | +0.05 |
| Nov 24, 2025 | 3.33 | 3.40 | -0.07 |
| Oct 27, 2025 | 3.35 | 3.30 | +0.05 |
| Sep 22, 2025 | 3.35 | 3.30 | +0.05 |
| Aug 22, 2025 | 3.33 | 3.30 | +0.03 |
| Jul 22, 2025 | 3.34 | 3.40 | -0.06 |
| Jun 23, 2025 | 3.34 | 3.40 | -0.06 |
| May 22, 2025 | 3.36 | 3.40 | -0.04 |
| Apr 22, 2025 | 3.36 | 3.40 | -0.04 |
| Mar 24, 2025 | 3.35 | 3.40 | -0.05 |
| Feb 26, 2025 | 3.37 | 3.40 | -0.03 |
| Jan 22, 2025 | 3.39 | 3.40 | -0.01 |
| Dec 23, 2024 | 3.41 | 3.40 | +0.01 |
| Nov 22, 2024 | 3.38 | 3.40 | -0.02 |
| Oct 24, 2024 | 3.38 | 3.40 | -0.02 |
| Sep 23, 2024 | 3.36 | 3.30 | +0.06 |
| Aug 22, 2024 | 3.34 | 3.30 | +0.04 |
| Jul 22, 2024 | 3.34 | 3.40 | -0.06 |
| Jun 24, 2024 | 3.35 | 3.40 | -0.05 |
| May 22, 2024 | 3.39 | 3.40 | -0.01 |
| Apr 22, 2024 | 3.40 | 3.40 | 0.00 |
| Mar 22, 2024 | 3.40 | 3.40 | 0.00 |
| Feb 29, 2024 | 3.39 | 3.40 | -0.01 |
| Jan 22, 2024 | 3.40 | 3.40 | 0.00 |
| Dec 22, 2023 | 3.37 | 3.40 | -0.03 |
| Nov 22, 2023 | 3.41 | 3.40 | +0.01 |
| Oct 23, 2023 | 3.44 | 3.40 | +0.04 |
| Sep 22, 2023 | 3.42 | — | — |
| Aug 22, 2023 | 3.43 | — | — |
| Jul 24, 2023 | 3.45 | — | — |
| Jun 27, 2023 | 3.50 | — | — |
| May 22, 2023 | 3.56 | — | — |
| Apr 24, 2023 | 3.59 | — | — |
| Mar 24, 2023 | 3.58 | — | — |
| Feb 22, 2023 | 3.60 | — | — |
| Jan 18, 2023 | 3.61 | — | — |
| Dec 22, 2022 | 3.64 | — | — |
| Nov 22, 2022 | 3.64 | — | — |
| Oct 24, 2022 | 3.64 | — | — |
| Sep 22, 2022 | 3.67 | — | — |
| Aug 22, 2022 | 3.68 | — | — |
The latest reading is 1.3 standard deviations below the mean.
