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

View monthly updates and historical trends for US Unemployment Rate: Black or African American. from United States. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics. Tr…

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 (LNU02000031) from Jan 1972 to Aug 2025 about 20 years +, African-American, males, 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.

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 October of 2025.

United States - Unemployment Rate - Black or African American was 7.50% in August 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 October 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.

Black Unemployment Rate - Historical chart and current data through 2025.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Level - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Women (LNU03000032) from Jan 1972 to Aug 2025 about 20 years +, African-American, females, household survey, unemployment, 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 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.

The unemployment rate for people ages 16 to 24 in the United States in 202024 23 was 10 percent. However, this rate was much lower for people aged 45 and over, at 2.9 percent. U.S. unemployment The unemployment rate in the United States varies based on several factors, such as race, gender, and level of education. Black and African-American individuals had the highest unemployment rate in 2021 out of any ethnicity, and people who had less than a high school diploma had the highest unemployment rate by education level. Alaska is consistently the state with the highest unemployment rate, although the El Centro, California metropolitan area was the area with the highest unemployment rate in the country in 2019. Additionally, in August 2022, farming, fishing, and forestry occupations had the highest unemployment rate in the United States Unemployment rate The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is the agency that researches and calculates the unemployment rate in the United States. Unemployment rises during recessions, which causes the cost of social welfare programs to increase. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says unemployed people are those who are jobless, have looked for employment within the last four weeks, and are free to work.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate - 16-19 Yrs., Black or African American (LNS14000018) from Jan 1972 to Aug 2025 about 16 to 19 years, African-American, household survey, unemployment, rate, and USA.

United States - Unemployment Rate - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Men was 7.10% in August 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 October of 2025.

In the United States, the unemployment rate for blacks is approximately twice as high as that for whites. This paper explores the proximate causes of black unemployment, focusing on overall job growth and the flows into and out of unemployment. Using data from the Census’s Quarterly Workforce Indicators and Job-to-Job Flows databases, we find that black employment is more volatile and separation rates higher within industries. Our results rule out one potential source of disparities in aggregate labor market outcomes, specifically, the extent to which it can be attributed to a concentration of black workers in cyclically sensitive occupations and/or industries, or those with low job security. The pervasiveness of these patterns across industries is consistent with structurally discriminatory employment practices.

View monthly updates and historical trends for US Unemployment Rate: Black or African American Age 16 to 24. from United States. Source: Bureau of Labor S…

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Men (LNS14000031) from Jan 1972 to Aug 2025 about 20 years +, African-American, males, household survey, unemployment, rate, and USA.