In 1990, the unemployment rate of the United States stood at 5.6 percent. Since then there have been many significant fluctuations to this number - the 2008 financial crisis left millions of people without work, as did the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of 2022 and throughout 2023, the unemployment rate came to 3.6 percent, the lowest rate seen for decades. However, 2024 saw an increase up to four percent. For monthly updates on unemployment in the United States visit either the monthly national unemployment rate here, or the monthly state unemployment rate here. Both are seasonally adjusted. UnemploymentUnemployment is defined as a situation when an employed person is laid off, fired or quits his work and is still actively looking for a job. Unemployment can be found even in the healthiest economies, and many economists consider an unemployment rate at or below five percent to mean there is 'full employment' within an economy. If former employed persons go back to school or leave the job to take care of children they are no longer part of the active labor force and therefore not counted among the unemployed. Unemployment can also be the effect of events that are not part of the normal dynamics of an economy. Layoffs can be the result of technological progress, for example when robots replace workers in automobile production. Sometimes unemployment is caused by job outsourcing, due to the fact that employers often search for cheap labor around the globe and not only domestically. In 2022, the tech sector in the U.S. experienced significant lay-offs amid growing economic uncertainty. In the fourth quarter of 2022, more than 70,000 workers were laid off, despite low unemployment nationwide. The unemployment rate in the United States varies from state to state. In 2021, California had the highest number of unemployed persons with 1.38 million out of work.

With the collapse of the U.S. housing market and the subsequent financial crisis on Wall Street in 2007 and 2008, economies across the globe began to enter into deep recessions. What had started out as a crisis centered on the United States quickly became global in nature, as it became apparent that not only had the economies of other advanced countries (grouped together as the G7) become intimately tied to the U.S. financial system, but that many of them had experienced housing and asset price bubbles similar to that in the U.S.. The United Kingdom had experienced a huge inflation of housing prices since the 1990s, while Eurozone members (such as Germany, France and Italy) had financial sectors which had become involved in reckless lending to economies on the periphery of the EU, such as Greece, Ireland and Portugal. Other countries, such as Japan, were hit heavily due their export-led growth models which suffered from the decline in international trade. Unemployment during the Great Recession As business and consumer confidence crashed, credit markets froze, and international trade contracted, the unemployment rate in the most advanced economies shot up. While four to five percent is generally considered to be a healthy unemployment rate, nearing full employment in the economy (when any remaining unemployment is not related to a lack of consumer demand), many of these countries experienced rates at least double that, with unemployment in the United States peaking at almost 10 percent in 2010. In large countries, unemployment rates of this level meant millions or tens of millions of people being out of work, which led to political pressures to stimulate economies and create jobs. By 2012, many of these countries were seeing declining unemployment rates, however, in France and Italy rates of joblessness continued to increase as the Euro crisis took hold. These countries suffered from having a monetary policy which was too tight for their economies (due to the ECB controlling interest rates) and fiscal policy which was constrained by EU debt rules. Left with the option of deregulating their labor markets and pursuing austerity policies, their unemployment rates remained over 10 percent well into the 2010s. Differences in labor markets The differences in unemployment rates at the peak of the crisis (2009-2010) reflect not only the differences in how economies were affected by the downturn, but also the differing labor market institutions and programs in the various countries. Countries with more 'liberalized' labor markets, such as the United States and United Kingdom experienced sharp jumps in their unemployment rate due to the ease at which employers can lay off workers in these countries. When the crisis subsided in these countries, however, their unemployment rates quickly began to drop below those of the other countries, due to their more dynamic labor markets which make it easier to hire workers when the economy is doing well. On the other hand, countries with more 'coordinated' labor market institutions, such as Germany and Japan, experiences lower rates of unemployment during the crisis, as programs such as short-time work, job sharing, and wage restraint agreements were used to keep workers in their jobs. While these countries are less likely to experience spikes in unemployment during crises, the highly regulated nature of their labor markets mean that they are slower to add jobs during periods of economic prosperity.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate - 20 Yrs. & over (LNS14000024) from Jan 1948 to Jun 2025 about 20 years +, household survey, unemployment, rate, and USA.

The unemployment rate in fiscal year 2204 rose to 3.9 percent. The unemployment rate of the United States which has been steadily decreasing since the 2008 financial crisis, spiked to 8.1 percent in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual unemployment rate of the U.S. since 1990 can be found here. Falling unemployment The unemployment rate, or the part of the U.S. labor force that is without a job, fell again in 2022 after peaking at 8.1 percent in 2020 - a rate that has not been seen since the years following the 2008 financial crisis. The financial crash caused unemployment in the U.S. to soar from 4.6 percent in 2007 to 9.6 percent in 2010. Since 2010, the unemployment rate had been steadily falling, meaning that more and more people are finding work, whether that be through full-time employment or part-time employment. However, the affects of the COVID-19 pandemic created a spike in unemployment across the country. U.S. unemployment in comparison Compared to unemployment rates in the European Union, U.S. unemployment is relatively low. Greece was hit particularly hard by the 2008 financial crisis and faced a government debt crisis that sent the Greek economy into a tailspin. Due to this crisis, and the added impact of the pandemic, Greece still has the highest unemployment rate in the European Union.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate - Native Born, Men (LNU04073414) from Jan 2007 to Jun 2025 about native born, males, 16 years +, household survey, unemployment, rate, and USA.

Initial Jobless Claims in the United States decreased to 227 thousand in the week ending July 5 of 2025 from 232 thousand in the previous week. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Initial Jobless Claims - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Unemployment Rate in the United States decreased to 4.10 percent in June from 4.20 percent in May of 2025. This dataset 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.

In 2024, the national unemployment level in the United States increased from the previous year to 6.76 million people. The number of unemployed persons in the U.S. reached a decades long high in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. See the United States unemployment rate and the monthly unemployment rate for further information.

Unemployment Rate: Foreign Born data was reported at 3.600 % in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.400 % for Mar 2025. Unemployment Rate: Foreign Born data is updated monthly, averaging 4.800 % from Jan 2007 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 220 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.500 % in Apr 2020 and a record low of 2.600 % in Oct 2019. Unemployment Rate: Foreign Born data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G: Current Population Survey: Unemployment Rate.

United States Unemployment Rate: Alabama data was reported at 3.800 % in Oct 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 3.800 % for Sep 2018. United States Unemployment Rate: Alabama data is updated monthly, averaging 6.700 % from Jan 1976 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 514 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.000 % in Feb 1983 and a record low of 3.300 % in May 2007. United States Unemployment Rate: Alabama data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G057: Unemployment Rate: By State.

Historical chart and data for the united states national unemployment rate back to 1948. Compares the level and annual rate of change.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate - Foreign Born (LNU04073395) from Jan 2007 to Jun 2025 about foreign, 16 years +, household survey, unemployment, rate, and USA.

United States Unemployment Rate: Arizona data was reported at 4.500 % in Oct 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.900 % for Sep 2018. United States Unemployment Rate: Arizona data is updated monthly, averaging 5.900 % from Jan 1976 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 514 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.800 % in Jan 1983 and a record low of 3.400 % in May 2007. United States Unemployment Rate: Arizona data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G057: Unemployment Rate: By State.

United States Unemployment Rate: sa: New Mexico data was reported at 4.900 % in Jun 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.100 % for May 2018. United States Unemployment Rate: sa: New Mexico data is updated monthly, averaging 6.700 % from Jan 1976 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 510 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.500 % in Mar 1983 and a record low of 3.700 % in Sep 2007. United States Unemployment Rate: sa: New Mexico data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G058: Unemployment Rate: By State: Seasonally Adjusted.

United States Unemployment Rate: sa: Alaska data was reported at 6.400 % in Oct 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6.500 % for Sep 2018. United States Unemployment Rate: sa: Alaska data is updated monthly, averaging 7.500 % from Jan 1976 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 514 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.200 % in Aug 1986 and a record low of 6.300 % in Jun 2007. United States Unemployment Rate: sa: Alaska data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G058: Unemployment Rate: By State: Seasonally Adjusted.

United States Unemployment Rate: sa: Arizona data was reported at 4.700 % in Oct 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.600 % for Sep 2018. United States Unemployment Rate: sa: Arizona data is updated monthly, averaging 5.900 % from Jan 1976 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 514 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.500 % in Dec 1982 and a record low of 3.600 % in Jul 2007. United States Unemployment Rate: sa: Arizona data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G058: Unemployment Rate: By State: Seasonally Adjusted.

In 2023, it was estimated that over 161 million Americans were in some form of employment, while 3.64 percent of the total workforce was unemployed. This was the lowest unemployment rate since the 1950s, although these figures are expected to rise in 2023 and beyond. 1980s-2010s Since the 1980s, the total United States labor force has generally risen as the population has grown, however, the annual average unemployment rate has fluctuated significantly, usually increasing in times of crisis, before falling more slowly during periods of recovery and economic stability. For example, unemployment peaked at 9.7 percent during the early 1980s recession, which was largely caused by the ripple effects of the Iranian Revolution on global oil prices and inflation. Other notable spikes came during the early 1990s; again, largely due to inflation caused by another oil shock, and during the early 2000s recession. The Great Recession then saw the U.S. unemployment rate soar to 9.6 percent, following the collapse of the U.S. housing market and its impact on the banking sector, and it was not until 2016 that unemployment returned to pre-recession levels. 2020s 2019 had marked a decade-long low in unemployment, before the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic saw the sharpest year-on-year increase in unemployment since the Great Depression, and the total number of workers fell by almost 10 million people. Despite the continuation of the pandemic in the years that followed, alongside the associated supply-chain issues and onset of the inflation crisis, unemployment reached just 3.67 percent in 2022 - current projections are for this figure to rise in 2023 and the years that follow, although these forecasts are subject to change if recent years are anything to go by.

United States Unemployment Rate: sa: Washington data was reported at 4.700 % in Jun 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 4.700 % for May 2018. United States Unemployment Rate: sa: Washington data is updated monthly, averaging 6.700 % from Jan 1976 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 510 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12.200 % in Nov 1982 and a record low of 4.600 % in Jun 2007. United States Unemployment Rate: sa: Washington data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G058: Unemployment Rate: By State: Seasonally Adjusted.

United States Unemployment Rate: sa: Utah data was reported at 3.200 % in Oct 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 3.200 % for Sep 2018. United States Unemployment Rate: sa: Utah data is updated monthly, averaging 4.500 % from Jan 1976 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 514 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.600 % in Mar 1983 and a record low of 2.400 % in Apr 2007. United States Unemployment Rate: sa: Utah data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G058: Unemployment Rate: By State: Seasonally Adjusted.

United States Unemployment Rate: sa: Louisiana data was reported at 5.000 % in Oct 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 5.000 % for Sep 2018. United States Unemployment Rate: sa: Louisiana data is updated monthly, averaging 6.800 % from Jan 1976 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 514 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.100 % in Nov 1986 and a record low of 4.100 % in Oct 2007. United States Unemployment Rate: sa: Louisiana data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G058: Unemployment Rate: By State: Seasonally Adjusted.