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.

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 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 Level - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Men (LNU03000031) from Jan 1972 to Aug 2025 about 20 years +, African-American, males, household survey, unemployment, and USA.

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: 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.

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.

United States - Unemployment Rate - Black or African American was 7.20% in July 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 September of 2025.

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.

The unemployment rate of white disabled persons in the United States amounted to 6.7 percent in 2023. This is significantly lower than the unemployment rate of disabled black people, which was 10.2 percent in the same year.

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.

In the second quarter of 2024, the unemployment rate among Black South Africans was 36.9 percent, marking a year-on-year change of 0.8 percent compared to the second quarter of 2023. On the other hand, the unemployment rate among white South Africans was 7.9 percent in the second quarter of 2024, with a 0.5 percent year-on-year change. Unemployment prevalent among youth and women The unemployment rate is the share of the labor force population that is unemployed, while the labor force includes individuals who are employed as well as those who are unemployed but looking for work. South Africa is struggling to absorb its youth into the job market. For instance, the unemployment rate among young South Africans aged 15-24 years reached a staggering 60.7 percent in the second quarter of 2023. Furthermore, women had higher unemployment rates than men. Since the start of 2016, the unemployment rate of women has been consistently more than that of men, reaching close to 36 percent compared to 30 percent, respectively. A new minimum wage and most paying jobs      In South Africa, a new minimum hourly wage went into effect on March 1, 2022. The minimum salary reached 23.19 South African rand per hour (1.44 U.S. dollars per hour), up from 21.69 South African rand per hour (1.35 U.S. dollars per hour) in 2021. In addition, the preponderance of employed South Africans worked between 40 and 45 hours weekly in 2021. Individuals holding Executive Management and Change Management jobs were the highest paid in the country, with salaries averaging 74,000 U.S. dollars per year.

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.

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.

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 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 purpose of this data collection is to provide an appropriate theoretical and empirical approach to concepts, measures, and methods in the study of Black Americans. The questionnaire was developed over two years, with input from social scientists, students, and a national advisory panel of Black scholars. The final instrument encompasses several broad areas related to Black American life. The study explores neighborhood-community integration, services, crime and community contact, the role of religion and the church, physical and mental health, and self-esteem. It also examines employment, the effects of chronic unemployment, the effects of race on the job, and interaction with family and friends. In addition, the survey provides information on racial attitudes, race identity, group stereotypes, and race ideology. Demographic variables include education, income, occupation, and political behavior and affiliation.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate - 20 Yrs. & over, Black or African American Women (LNS14000032) from Jan 1972 to Aug 2025 about 20 years +, African-American, females, household survey, unemployment, rate, and USA.

This statistic shows the distribution of the unemployed population in the United States in 2011 by race and ethnicity. 20 percent of the unemployed population in the United States were black or African American in 2011.

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 2014-2018: Table C23002B