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 (LNU04000006) from Jan 1972 to Jun 2025 about African-American, 16 years +, household survey, unemployment, rate, and USA.

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 Rate - White (LNS14000003) from Jan 1954 to Jun 2025 about white, 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.

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.

Unemployment Data by Ethnicity and Race 2019-2020

  Current Population Survey results showing unemployment data broken out by ethnicity and ages. Presented in percentages; non-seasonally adjusted, for the second quarter in 2019 and 2020. About the BLS Unemployment Data including Current Population Survey Demographic Breakdowns: Links to several different datasets, including Current Population Survey results showing seasonally adjusted unemployment data broken out by ethnicity and age, reason for unemployment, and duration of employment prior to unemployment for years including 2017-2019.  Other datasets show over-the-year percent change in the third month's employment level and taxable wages by industry for a given quarter at the County, State, and MSA level yearly from 1990 - present.
  Geography Level: NationalItem Vintage: 2019-2020
  Update Frequency: N/AAgency: BLSAvailable File Type: Excel 

  Return to Other Federal Agency Datasets Page

This dataset shows the population, civilian labor force, unemployed, and unemployment rate for people aged 16 years and older by race and ethnicity in New York State and its Labor Market Regions..

Characteristics of the Insured Unemployed. This dataset provides information on the race and ethnicity composition of unemployment insurance claimants. The data are based on those who file a continued claim in the week containing the 19th of the month, which reflects unemployment during the week containing the 12th. This corresponds with the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Current Population Survey. (Source: ETA-203)

2004 to 2021 Virginia Employment Status of the Civilian Non-Institutional Population by Sex, by Race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and detailed by Age, by Year. Annual averages, numbers in thousands.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Local Area Unemployment Statistics, Expanded State Employment Status Demographic Data Data accessed from the Bureau of Labor Statistics website (https://www.bls.gov/lau/ex14tables.htm)

Statewide data on the demographic and economic characteristics of the labor force are published on an annual-average basis from the Current Population Survey (CPS), the sample survey of households used to calculate the U.S. unemployment rate (https://www.bls.gov/cps/home.htm). For each state and the District of Columbia, employment status data are tabulated for 67 sex, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, marital status, and detailed age categories and evaluated against a minimum base, calculated to reflect an expected maximum coefficient of variation (CV) of 50 percent, to determine reliability for publication.

The CPS sample was redesigned in 2014–15 to reflect the distribution of the population as of the 2010 Census. At the same time, BLS developed improved techniques for calculating minimum bases. These changes resulted in generally higher minimum bases of unemployment, leading to the publication of fewer state-demographic groups beginning in 2015. The most notable impact was on the detailed age categories, particularly the teenage and age 65 and older groups. In an effort to extend coverage, BLS introduced a version of the expanded state employment status demographic table with intermediate age categories, collapsing the seven categories historically included down to three. Ages 16–19 and 20–24 were combined into a 16–24 year-old category, ages 25–34, 35–44, and 45–54 were combined into a 25–54 year-old category, and ages 55–64 and 65 and older were combined into a 55-years-and-older category. These intermediate age data are tabulated for the total population, as well as the four race and ethnicity groups, and then are evaluated against the unemployment minimum bases. The more detailed age categories continue to be available in the main version of the expanded table, where the minimum base was met.

Additional information on the uses and limitations of statewide data from the CPS can be found in the document Notes on Using Current Population Survey (https://www.bls.gov/lau/notescps.htm) Subnational Data and in Appendix B of the bulletin Geographic Profile of Employment and Unemployment (https://www.bls.gov/opub/geographic-profile/home.htm).

This dataset contains non-seasonally adjusted California Unemployment Rate by age groups, from the Current Population Survey (CPS). The age group ranges are as follows: 16-19; 20-24; 25-34; 35-44; 45-54; 55-64; 65+. This data is based on a 12-month moving average.

Statewide VA data on the demographic and economic characteristics of the labor force are published on an annual-average basis from the Current Population Survey (CPS), the sample survey of households used to calculate the U.S. unemployment rate. For VA state ,employment status data are tabulated for 67 sex, race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, marital status, and detailed age categories and evaluated against a minimum base, calculated to reflect an expected maximum coefficient of variation (CV) of 50 percent, to determine reliability for publication

Unemployment rate of LWIA compared at state and national levels

Reason for Unemployment Data by Ethnicity and Race 2019-2020

  Current Population Survey Results showing unemployment data broken out by ethnicity detailing the reason for unemployment. Presented in thousands; non seasonally adjusted, for the second quarter in 2019 and 2020. About the BLS Unemployment Data including Current Population Survey Demographic Breakdowns: Links to several different datasets, including Current Population Survey results showing seasonally adjusted unemployment data broken out by ethnicity and age, reason for unemployment, and duration of employment prior to unemployment for years including 2017-2019.  Other datasets show over-the-year percent change in the third month's employment level and taxable wages by industry for a given quarter at the County, State, and MSA level yearly from 1990 - present.
  Geography Level: NationalItem Vintage: 2019-2020
  Update Frequency: N/AAgency: BLSAvailable File Type: Excel 

  Return to Other Federal Agency Datasets Page

At most qualification levels, white people aged 16 to 64 were the least likely to be unemployed out of all ethnic groups in 2022.

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.

Unemployment Rates: 30 to 34 Years: Citizens: Bumiputera data was reported at 1.700 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.000 % for 2016. Unemployment Rates: 30 to 34 Years: Citizens: Bumiputera data is updated yearly, averaging 1.850 % from Dec 2012 (Median) to 2017, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.000 % in 2013 and a record low of 1.400 % in 2014. Unemployment Rates: 30 to 34 Years: Citizens: Bumiputera data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Department of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.G045: Labour Force Survey: Unemployment Rates: By Age & Ethnic Group.

Unemployment Rates: 45 to 49 Years: Citizens data was reported at 1.400 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.100 % for 2016. Unemployment Rates: 45 to 49 Years: Citizens data is updated yearly, averaging 0.900 % from Dec 2012 (Median) to 2017, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.400 % in 2017 and a record low of 0.600 % in 2014. Unemployment Rates: 45 to 49 Years: Citizens data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Department of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.G045: Labour Force Survey: Unemployment Rates: By Age & Ethnic Group.

Analysis of ‘Labor Force Status by Race and Ethnicity: Beginning 2012’ provided by Analyst-2 (analyst-2.ai), based on source dataset retrieved from https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/5d5ae00f-3f59-49d9-bd5f-c5a44e0823bf on 27 January 2022.

--- Dataset description provided by original source is as follows ---

This dataset shows the population, civilian labor force, unemployed, and unemployment rate for people aged 16 years and older by race and ethnicity in New York State and its Labor Market Regions..

--- Original source retains full ownership of the source dataset ---

Monthly Actual Data from January 1996 Covers: - Unemployment Expectations Index - Age 18-24, Age 25-44, Age over 45. - Unemployment Expectations Index - Live with children < 18, Does not live with child < 18. - Unemployment Expectations Index - Tenant, Mortgagee, Owned. - Unemployment Expectations Index - Coalition, ALP, Democrat, Others. - Unemployment Expectations Index - Manager & Professional, Paraprofessional & Trades; Sales & Clerical, Labourer & Operator, Retiree; Unemployed, Not working. - Unemployment Expectations Index - Primary, Secondary, Trade, Tertiary. - Unemployment Expectations Index - Up to 20k, 20-40k, 40-60k, over 60k. - Unemployment Expectations Index - Male, Female.

  The survey is conduct monthly by telephone and the sample size is typically 1200 households. Each respondent is characterized by: gender, age, occupation, education, political party preference, home ownership, household income, and postcode. The Survey is used to compile the following Report: The Westpac - Melbourne Institute Survey of Consumer Unemployment Expectations.
  The report is concerned with consumers' views about whether unemployment would be more, the same or less in the coming twelve months. The Unemployment Expectations Index was first compiled in September 1974, on a quarterly basis. It became a monthly series in June 1993.