Graph and download economic data for Employment Level - Black or African American (LNS12000006) from Jan 1972 to Jun 2025 about African-American, 16 years +, household survey, employment, and USA.

In 2023, the unemployment rate of African Americans in the United States stood at 5.5 percent. This was over the national average of 3.6 percent.

The high rate of unemployment

There are many reasons why the unemployment rate among minorities is different than the national average. When it comes to African Americans, a large part of this is due to historical events, such as slavery and the struggle for civil rights, as well as the number of Black families living below the poverty level. Additionally, in 2019, for every 100,000 of the population, there were 2,203 Black men in prison. This high rate of imprisonment can contribute to the unemployment rate for African Americans, since having been in prison can reduce one’s chances of finding a job once released.

Earning differences

African Americans also make less money than other ethnicities in the United States. In 2020, the median weekly earnings of African Americans were 794 U.S. dollars, compared to Asians, who made 1,310 U.S. dollars per week, and whites, who made 1,003 U.S. dollars per week. While the African American unemployment rate may be low, it is clear that much has to change in order to achieve full equality.

Graph and download economic data for Employment Level - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Men (LNS12000031) from Jan 1972 to Jun 2025 about 20 years +, males, African-American, household survey, employment, and USA.

In 2024, six percent of the Black or African-American population in the United States were unemployed, the highest unemployment rate of any ethnicity. In 2024, the national unemployment rate stood at four percent.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate - Black or African American (LNS14000006) from Jan 1972 to Jun 2025 about African-American, 16 years +, household survey, unemployment, rate, and USA.

United States Employment: Black or African American data was reported at 20,886.000 Person th in Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 20,787.000 Person th for Mar 2025. United States Employment: Black or African American data is updated monthly, averaging 14,555.000 Person th from Jan 1972 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 640 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 20,938.000 Person th in Mar 2023 and a record low of 7,367.000 Person th in Jan 1972. United States Employment: Black or African American 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: Employment.

United States - Unemployment Rate - Black or African American was 6.00% in May of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Unemployment Rate - Black or African American reached a record high of 21.20 in January of 1983 and a record low of 4.80 in April of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Unemployment Rate - Black or African American - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

United States Employment: sa: NH: Black or African American: Female data was reported at 10,591.000 Person th in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 10,672.000 Person th for Mar 2025. United States Employment: sa: NH: Black or African American: Female data is updated monthly, averaging 7,702.000 Person th from Jan 1972 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 640 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10,917.000 Person th in Feb 2024 and a record low of 3,391.000 Person th in Feb 1972. United States Employment: sa: NH: Black or African American: Female 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: Employment: Seasonally Adjusted.

United States Employment: NH: Black or African American data was reported at 19,238.000 Person th in Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 19,160.000 Person th for Mar 2025. United States Employment: NH: Black or African American data is updated monthly, averaging 17,987.000 Person th from Jan 2016 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 112 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19,535.000 Person th in Mar 2023 and a record low of 15,201.000 Person th in Apr 2020. United States Employment: NH: Black or African American 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: Employment.

Graph and download economic data for Employment-Population Ratio - Black or African American (LNS12300006) from Jan 1972 to May 2025 about employment-population ratio, African-American, 16 years +, household survey, employment, population, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Labor Force Participation Rate - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Men (LNS11300031) from Jan 1972 to Jun 2025 about 20 years +, males, participation, African-American, labor force, labor, household survey, rate, and USA.

United States - Labor Force Participation Rate - Black or African American was 62.10% in April of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Labor Force Participation Rate - Black or African American reached a record high of 67.30 in July of 1998 and a record low of 57.60 in January of 1973. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Labor Force Participation Rate - Black or African American - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

United States Unemployment Rate: NH: Black or African American data was reported at 5.800 % in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6.000 % for Mar 2025. United States Unemployment Rate: NH: Black or African American data is updated monthly, averaging 6.600 % from Jan 2016 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 112 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.600 % in May 2020 and a record low of 4.400 % in Apr 2023. United States Unemployment Rate: NH: Black or African American 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 - Black or African American was 5.80% in April of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Unemployment Rate - Black or African American reached a record high of 21.70 in June of 1983 and a record low of 4.40 in April of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Unemployment Rate - Black or African American - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

United States Unemployment Rate: Black or African American: Female data was reported at 5.500 % in Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 5.400 % for Mar 2025. United States Unemployment Rate: Black or African American: Female data is updated monthly, averaging 10.900 % from Jan 1972 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 640 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21.100 % in Jun 1983 and a record low of 4.000 % in Apr 2023. United States Unemployment Rate: Black or African American: Female 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.

Truist Bank had the highest proportion of Black employees among major U.S. banks, at ***** percent of its total workforce. Capital One ranked second at over ** percent, while PNC, Bank of America, and JPMorgan Chase each maintained Black employee representation between ** and ** percent.

This statistic shows the share of African Americans employed at Bank of America in 2012 and 2016, by employment level. The share of African Americans employed as executives at Bank of America increased from *** percent in 2012 to *** percent in 2016.

In 2024, about 62.7 percent of the Asian community was employed. The highest employment rate was found among Mexican-Americans, at 64.1 percent, and the lowest employment rate was found among Puerto Ricans, at 55.2 percent. In total, around 60 percent of all working-age Americans were employed at this time.

Employment: Male: NH: Black or African American data was reported at 9,395.000 Person th in Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 9,257.000 Person th for Mar 2025. Employment: Male: NH: Black or African American data is updated monthly, averaging 8,460.500 Person th from Jan 2016 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 112 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9,474.000 Person th in Mar 2023 and a record low of 7,121.000 Person th in Apr 2020. Employment: Male: NH: Black or African American 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: Employment.

This map shows Employment/Unemployment statistics for the following groups of African Americans: Adults, Seniors, Males, Females, and those who are considered in the labor force. Data is from the American Community Survey 2013-2017: Table C23002B