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

United States - Unemployment Rate - Black or African American was 6.00% in February 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 March of 2025.

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 - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Men (LNU04000031) from Jan 1972 to Feb 2025 about 20 years +, males, African-American, household survey, unemployment, rate, and USA.

United States Unemployment Rate: Black or African American: Female data was reported at 5.600 % in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 5.400 % for Jan 2025. United States Unemployment Rate: Black or African American: Female data is updated monthly, averaging 10.900 % from Jan 1972 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 638 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.G037: Current Population Survey: Unemployment Rate.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Level - 16-19 Yrs., Black or African American (LNU03000018) from Jan 1972 to Feb 2025 about 16 to 19 years, African-American, household survey, unemployment, and USA.

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

In 2023, 1.21 million Black or African American individuals in the United States were unemployed. This is a decrease from the previous year, but has yet to reach pre-pandemic lows.

United States Employment: Black or African American data was reported at 20,890.000 Person th in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 20,704.000 Person th for Jan 2025. United States Employment: Black or African American data is updated monthly, averaging 14,524.000 Person th from Jan 1972 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 638 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.G030: Current Population Survey: Employment.

In 2023, about 63.1 percent of the Asian community was employed. The highest employment rate was found among Mexican-Americans, at 64 percent, and the lowest employment rate was found among Puerto Ricans, at 57.3 percent. In total, around 60 percent of all working-age Americans were employed at this time.

United States Unemployment Rate: Black or African American data was reported at 6.100 % in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6.400 % for Jan 2025. United States Unemployment Rate: Black or African American data is updated monthly, averaging 11.100 % from Jan 1972 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 638 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21.700 % in Jun 1983 and a record low of 4.400 % in Apr 2023. United States Unemployment Rate: 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.G037: Current Population Survey: Unemployment Rate.

United States - Unemployment Rate - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Men was 6.10% in March of 2022, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Unemployment Rate - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Men reached a record high of 21.60 in January of 1983 and a record low of 4.80 in November of 2019. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Unemployment Rate - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Men - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on March of 2025.

United States Employment: Black or African American: Female data was reported at 10,696.000 Person th in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 10,664.000 Person th for Nov 2024. United States Employment: Black or African American: Female data is updated monthly, averaging 7,665.000 Person th from Jan 1972 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 636 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10,955.000 Person th in Apr 2023 and a record low of 3,341.000 Person th in Jan 1972. United States Employment: 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.G030: Current Population Survey: Employment.

Truist Bank had the highest proportion of Black employees among major U.S. banks, at 19.08 percent of its total workforce. Capital One ranked second at over 15 percent, while PNC, Bank of America, and JPMorgan Chase each maintained Black employee representation between 14 and 15 percent.

United States - Unemployment Rate - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Men was 5.50% in February of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Unemployment Rate - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Men reached a record high of 20.70 in December of 1982 and a record low of 4.60 in April of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Unemployment Rate - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Men - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on March of 2025.

In the third quarter of 2024, 7.6 percent of the black population in Brazil was unemployed. The unemployment rate for Pardo Brazilians was approximately seven percent, while for whites it was five percent.

United States Unemployment Rate: sa: NH: Black or African American (BA) data was reported at 6.200 % in Jan 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 6.100 % for Dec 2024. United States Unemployment Rate: sa: NH: Black or African American (BA) data is updated monthly, averaging 11.000 % from Jan 1972 (Median) to Jan 2025, with 637 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 21.200 % in Jan 1983 and a record low of 4.800 % in Apr 2023. United States Unemployment Rate: sa: NH: Black or African American (BA) 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.G041: Current Population Survey: Unemployment Rate: Seasonally Adjusted.

In 2023, about 23.51 percent of unemployed Black or African American individuals had been jobless for at least 27 weeks. This was slightly higher amongst Asian individuals, at 23.55 percent. See the monthly unemployment rate in the U.S. here.

United States - Labor Force Participation Rate - Black or African American was 61.80% in February of 2022, 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 March of 2025.