Unemployment rate · United States
United States Unemployment Rate
The United States Unemployment Rate measures the share of the labour force in the United States, people working or actively looking for work, who have no job but want one.
- Importance
- High
- Released
- Monthly
- Next release
- Currency
- USD · US dollar
- Central bank
- The Federal Reserve
Latest figures
The latest release for SEP, published on 2 October 2026, came in at 4.2%, above the consensus of 4.1%, up from 4.1% the time before.
A higher unemployment rate than expected points to a weakening labour market: the US dollar tends to soften as markets price in lower rates.
Over the last 12 releases it ranged from 4.1% to 4.6%, averaging 4.3%.
| Released | For | Actual | Consensus | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Oct 2026 | SEP | 4.2% | 4.1% | 4.1% |
| 4 Sep 2026 | AUG | 4.1% | 4.1% | 4.1% |
| 7 Aug 2026 | JUL | 4.1% | 4.2% | 4.2% |
| 2 Jul 2026 | JUN | 4.2% | 4.3% | 4.3% |
| 5 Jun 2026 | MAY | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.3% |
| 8 May 2026 | APR | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.3% |
| 3 Apr 2026 | MAR | 4.3% | 4.4% | 4.4% |
| 6 Mar 2026 | FEB | 4.4% | 4.3% | 4.3% |
| 11 Feb 2026 | JAN | 4.3% | 4.4% | 4.4% |
| 9 Jan 2026 | DEC | 4.4% | 4.5% | 4.5% ® |
| 16 Dec 2025 | NOV | 4.6% | 4.4% | 4.4% |
| 20 Nov 2025 | SEP | 4.4% | 4.3% | 4.3% |
Why it matters
Full employment is part of most central banks' mandate. A falling unemployment rate means a tighter labour market, faster wage growth and more inflation pressure, which can keep the Federal Reserve hawkish; a rising rate is one of the clearest recession signals (the US "Sahm rule" flags a 0.5-point rise in the three-month average).
How it is calculated
the Bureau of Labor Statistics (prices and jobs), the Bureau of Economic Analysis (GDP, income and spending) and the Census Bureau (retail sales, housing, trade) usually runs a household survey: people are counted as unemployed if they had no work, were available and looked for a job recently. The rate is unemployed ÷ (employed + unemployed). Registered jobless and claimant counts instead count people signed on for benefits. Participation is the labour force ÷ working-age population.
Unemployment rate = unemployed ÷ labour force × 100
Labour force = employed + unemployedWhat changes mean
- A lower rate than expected usually supports the US dollar.
- Check participation: unemployment can fall because people stop looking, which is not good news.
- Broader measures (US U-6) include part-timers who want more hours.
Higher than expected: A higher unemployment rate than expected points to a weakening labour market: the US dollar tends to soften as markets price in lower rates.
Lower than expected: A lower unemployment rate than expected signals a tight labour market: it tends to support the US dollar and push bond yields up.
A short history
Systematic unemployment statistics began in the 1930s Depression; the International Labour Organization's definition, adopted in 1982, is used by most countries today.
Questions
What is the United States Unemployment Rate?
The United States Unemployment Rate measures the share of the labour force in the United States, people working or actively looking for work, who have no job but want one.
What was the latest United States Unemployment Rate?
4.2% for SEP, published on 2 October 2026 (consensus 4.1%, previous 4.1%).
When is the next United States Unemployment Rate?
On Friday 6 November 2026 at 13:30 UTC.
Educational content only, not investment advice. Figures are the published results as recorded by our calendar; market reactions described are typical, not guaranteed.