The unemployment rate in the United States rose by 0.2 percentage point to 3.9% in February 2024, touching the highest level since January 2022 and surpassing market expectations of 3.7%. The number of unemployed people increased by 334,000 to 6.5 million. The labor force participation rate was 62.5% for the third consecutive month, and the employment-population ratio was little changed at 60.1%. source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Unemployment Rate in the United States increased to 3.90 percent in February from 3.70 percent in January of 2024. Unemployment Rate in the United States averaged 5.70 percent from 1948 until 2024, reaching an all time high of 14.90 percent in April of 2020 and a record low of 2.50 percent in May of 1953. This page provides the latest reported value for - United States Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. United States Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on March of 2024.

Unemployment Rate in the United States increased to 3.90 percent in February from 3.70 percent in January of 2024. Unemployment Rate in the United States is expected to be 3.80 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2024-02-02 01:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Jan 3.7% 3.7% 3.8% 3.7%
2024-03-08 01:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Feb 3.9% 3.7% 3.7% 3.7%
2024-04-05 12:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Mar 3.9% 3.9% 3.9%

Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Long Term Unemployment Rate 0.72 0.76 percent Feb 2024
Youth Unemployment Rate 8.80 7.30 percent Feb 2024

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Hourly Earnings MoM 0.10 0.50 percent Feb 2024
Average Hourly Earnings YoY 4.30 4.40 percent Feb 2024
Average Weekly Hours 34.30 34.20 Hours Feb 2024
Employment Rate 60.10 60.20 percent Feb 2024
Government Payrolls 52.00 52.00 Thousand Feb 2024
Participation Rate 62.50 62.50 percent Feb 2024
Manufacturing Payrolls -4.00 8.00 Thousand Feb 2024
Non Farm Payrolls 275.00 229.00 Thousand Feb 2024
Nonfarm Payrolls Private 223.00 177.00 Thousand Feb 2024
Unemployed Persons 6458.00 6124.00 Thousand Feb 2024
Unemployment Rate 3.90 3.70 percent Feb 2024

United States Unemployment Rate
In the United States, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
3.90 3.70 14.90 2.50 1948 - 2024 percent Monthly

News Stream
US Jobless Rate Rises to 2-Year High
The unemployment rate in the United States rose by 0.2 percentage point to 3.9% in February 2024, touching the highest level since January 2022 and surpassing market expectations of 3.7%. The number of unemployed people increased by 334,000 to 6.5 million. The labor force participation rate was 62.5% for the third consecutive month, and the employment-population ratio was little changed at 60.1%.
2024-03-08
US Jobless Rate Unchanged for 2nd Straight Month
The unemployment rate in the United States held at 3.7% in January 2024, unchanged from the previous month and slightly below the market consensus of 3.8%. The activity rate was also flat at 62.5% last month, remaining at the lowest level since February 2023. The number of unemployed individuals decreased by 144 thousand to 6.12 million, while the count of employed individuals dropped by 31 thousand to 161.15 million.
2024-02-02
US Jobless Rate Holds Steady at 3.7%
The unemployment rate in the United States held at 3.7% in December 2023, unchanged from the previous month and slightly below the market consensus of 3.8%, influenced by a slowdown in new entries into the labor force. The activity rate declined to 62.5% last month from November's 62.8%. Additionally, there was an increase of 6 thousand in the number of unemployed individuals, totaling 6.27 million, while the count of employed individuals dropped by 683 thousand to 161.2 million.
2024-01-05