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: 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.

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.

United States Unemployment Rate: Black or African American data was reported at 5.800 % in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6.200 % for Mar 2025. United States Unemployment Rate: Black or African American data is updated monthly, averaging 11.100 % from Jan 1972 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 640 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.G: Current Population Survey: Unemployment Rate.

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United States Unemployment Rate: Female: NH: Black or African American data was reported at 5.300 % in Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.800 % for Mar 2025. United States Unemployment Rate: Female: NH: Black or African American data is updated monthly, averaging 6.400 % from Jan 2016 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 112 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17.200 % in May 2020 and a record low of 4.100 % in Apr 2023. United States Unemployment Rate: Female: 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.

Unemployment Rate in the United Kingdom increased to 4.70 percent in May from 4.60 percent in April of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom 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: sa: NH: Black or African American (BA) data was reported at 6.300 % in Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 6.200 % for Mar 2025. United States Unemployment Rate: sa: NH: Black or African American (BA) data is updated monthly, averaging 11.000 % from Jan 1972 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 640 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.G: Current Population Survey: Unemployment Rate: Seasonally Adjusted.

United States Unemployment: Black or African American data was reported at 1,287.000 Person th in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,380.000 Person th for Mar 2025. United States Unemployment: Black or African American data is updated monthly, averaging 1,591.500 Person th from Jan 1972 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 640 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,285.000 Person th in May 2020 and a record low of 745.000 Person th in Oct 1973. United States Unemployment: 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.

Unemployment Rate in South Africa increased to 32.90 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from 31.90 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - South Africa Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

United States Unemployment Rate: Male: NH: Black or African American data was reported at 6.200 % in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7.100 % for Mar 2025. United States Unemployment Rate: Male: NH: Black or African American data is updated monthly, averaging 7.300 % from Jan 2016 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 112 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.100 % in Jun 2020 and a record low of 4.700 % in Apr 2023. United States Unemployment Rate: 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: Unemployment Rate.

Unemployment Rate in Australia increased to 4.30 percent in June from 4.10 percent in May of 2025. This dataset provides - Australia Unemployment Rate at 5.8% in December - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Unemployment Rate in Canada decreased to 6.90 percent in June from 7 percent in May of 2025. This dataset provides - Canada Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Unemployment Rate in Spain increased to 11.36 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from 10.61 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Spain 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: Black or African American data was reported at 1,366.000 Person th in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,427.000 Person th for Jan 2025. United States Unemployment: Black or African American data is updated monthly, averaging 1,593.000 Person th from Jan 1972 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 638 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,285.000 Person th in May 2020 and a record low of 745.000 Person th in Oct 1973. United States Unemployment: 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.G035: Current Population Survey: Unemployment.

United States Unemployment: Black or African American: Male data was reported at 668.000 Person th in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 768.000 Person th for Mar 2025. United States Unemployment: Black or African American: Male data is updated monthly, averaging 806.500 Person th from Jan 1972 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 640 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,808.000 Person th in Mar 2010 and a record low of 345.000 Person th in Dec 1973. United States Unemployment: Black or African American: Male 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.

United States Unemployment: Male: NH: Black or African American data was reported at 625.000 Person th in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 710.000 Person th for Mar 2025. United States Unemployment: Male: NH: Black or African American data is updated monthly, averaging 678.000 Person th from Jan 2016 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 112 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,433.000 Person th in Jul 2020 and a record low of 459.000 Person th in Apr 2023. United States Unemployment: 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: Unemployment.

United States Unemployment: NH: Black or African American data was reported at 1,175.000 Person th in Apr 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,214.000 Person th for Mar 2025. United States Unemployment: NH: Black or African American data is updated monthly, averaging 1,301.500 Person th from Jan 2016 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 112 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,057.000 Person th in May 2020 and a record low of 899.000 Person th in Apr 2023. United States Unemployment: 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.

United States Unemployment: Black or African American: Female data was reported at 619.000 Person th in Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 612.000 Person th for Mar 2025. United States Unemployment: Black or African American: Female data is updated monthly, averaging 797.500 Person th from Jan 1972 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 640 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,804.000 Person th in May 2020 and a record low of 367.000 Person th in Apr 1972. United States Unemployment: 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.

United States Unemployment: Female: NH: Black or African American data was reported at 549.000 Person th in Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 504.000 Person th for Mar 2025. United States Unemployment: Female: NH: Black or African American data is updated monthly, averaging 655.000 Person th from Jan 2016 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 112 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,687.000 Person th in May 2020 and a record low of 439.000 Person th in Apr 2023. United States Unemployment: Female: 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.