With the collapse of the U.S. housing market and the subsequent financial crisis on Wall Street in 2007 and 2008, economies across the globe began to enter into deep recessions. What had started out as a crisis centered on the United States quickly became global in nature, as it became apparent that not only had the economies of other advanced countries (grouped together as the G7) become intimately tied to the U.S. financial system, but that many of them had experienced housing and asset price bubbles similar to that in the U.S.. The United Kingdom had experienced a huge inflation of housing prices since the 1990s, while Eurozone members (such as Germany, France and Italy) had financial sectors which had become involved in reckless lending to economies on the periphery of the EU, such as Greece, Ireland and Portugal. Other countries, such as Japan, were hit heavily due their export-led growth models which suffered from the decline in international trade. Unemployment during the Great Recession As business and consumer confidence crashed, credit markets froze, and international trade contracted, the unemployment rate in the most advanced economies shot up. While four to five percent is generally considered to be a healthy unemployment rate, nearing full employment in the economy (when any remaining unemployment is not related to a lack of consumer demand), many of these countries experienced rates at least double that, with unemployment in the United States peaking at almost 10 percent in 2010. In large countries, unemployment rates of this level meant millions or tens of millions of people being out of work, which led to political pressures to stimulate economies and create jobs. By 2012, many of these countries were seeing declining unemployment rates, however, in France and Italy rates of joblessness continued to increase as the Euro crisis took hold. These countries suffered from having a monetary policy which was too tight for their economies (due to the ECB controlling interest rates) and fiscal policy which was constrained by EU debt rules. Left with the option of deregulating their labor markets and pursuing austerity policies, their unemployment rates remained over 10 percent well into the 2010s. Differences in labor markets The differences in unemployment rates at the peak of the crisis (2009-2010) reflect not only the differences in how economies were affected by the downturn, but also the differing labor market institutions and programs in the various countries. Countries with more 'liberalized' labor markets, such as the United States and United Kingdom experienced sharp jumps in their unemployment rate due to the ease at which employers can lay off workers in these countries. When the crisis subsided in these countries, however, their unemployment rates quickly began to drop below those of the other countries, due to their more dynamic labor markets which make it easier to hire workers when the economy is doing well. On the other hand, countries with more 'coordinated' labor market institutions, such as Germany and Japan, experiences lower rates of unemployment during the crisis, as programs such as short-time work, job sharing, and wage restraint agreements were used to keep workers in their jobs. While these countries are less likely to experience spikes in unemployment during crises, the highly regulated nature of their labor markets mean that they are slower to add jobs during periods of economic prosperity.

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.

from https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/UNRATE

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Release: Employment Situation
Units: Percent, Seasonally Adjusted

Frequency: Monthly

Notes: The unemployment rate represents the number of unemployed as a percentage of the labor force. Labor force data are restricted to people 16 years of age and older, who currently reside in 1 of the 50 states or the District of Columbia, who do not reside in institutions (e.g., penal and mental facilities, homes for the aged), and who are not on active duty in the Armed Forces.

This rate is also defined as the U-3 measure of labor underutilization.

The series comes from the 'Current Population Survey (Household Survey)'

The source code is: LNS14000000

Suggested Citation: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Unemployment Rate [UNRATE], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/UNRATE, August 17, 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate in the United States (DISCONTINUED) (USAURAQS) from Q1 2007 to Q2 2013 about unemployment, rate, and USA.

Unemployment Rate measures jobless individuals as a percentage of the labor force. Explore country comparisons and historical trends with interactive maps.

Unemployment Rate in the United States decreased to 4.30 percent in March from 4.40 percent in February of 2026. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate in the United States (DISCONTINUED) (USAURAMS) from Jan 2007 to Jun 2013 about unemployment, rate, and USA.

Unemployment Rate: sa: Utah data was reported at 3.200 % in Oct 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 3.200 % for Sep 2018. Unemployment Rate: sa: Utah data is updated monthly, averaging 4.500 % from Jan 1976 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 514 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.600 % in Mar 1983 and a record low of 2.400 % in Apr 2007. Unemployment Rate: sa: Utah data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G058: Unemployment Rate: By State: Seasonally Adjusted.

Unemployment rates for working-age population (%); Figures for provinces Balkh, Herat, Nangarhar and Paktya less reliable

Unemployment Rate: sa: Montana data was reported at 3.800 % in Jun 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.900 % for May 2018. Unemployment Rate: sa: Montana data is updated monthly, averaging 5.600 % from Jan 1976 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 510 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.800 % in May 1983 and a record low of 2.900 % in Feb 2007. Unemployment Rate: sa: Montana data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G058: Unemployment Rate: By State: Seasonally Adjusted.

Youth Unemployment Rate in Georgia decreased to 17.50 percent in 2024 from 21 percent in 2023. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Georgia Youth Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

In 2024, the national unemployment level in the United States increased from the previous year to 6.76 million people. The number of unemployed persons in the U.S. reached a decades long high in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. See the United States unemployment rate and the monthly unemployment rate for further information.

Unemployment Rate: sa: New Mexico data was reported at 4.900 % in Jun 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.100 % for May 2018. Unemployment Rate: sa: New Mexico data is updated monthly, averaging 6.700 % from Jan 1976 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 510 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.500 % in Mar 1983 and a record low of 3.700 % in Sep 2007. Unemployment Rate: sa: New Mexico data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G058: Unemployment Rate: By State: Seasonally Adjusted.

Unemployment Rate: sa: Washington data was reported at 4.700 % in Jun 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 4.700 % for May 2018. Unemployment Rate: sa: Washington data is updated monthly, averaging 6.700 % from Jan 1976 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 510 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12.200 % in Nov 1982 and a record low of 4.600 % in Jun 2007. Unemployment Rate: sa: Washington data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G058: Unemployment Rate: By State: Seasonally Adjusted.

Malta unemployment rate in 2007: 6.47%. Down from 12.50% peak in 1983. Ranked 108th globally.

Unemployment Rate: sa: Alaska data was reported at 6.400 % in Oct 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6.500 % for Sep 2018. Unemployment Rate: sa: Alaska data is updated monthly, averaging 7.500 % from Jan 1976 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 514 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.200 % in Aug 1986 and a record low of 6.300 % in Jun 2007. Unemployment Rate: sa: Alaska data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G058: Unemployment Rate: By State: Seasonally Adjusted.

Unemployment Rate: sa: Louisiana data was reported at 5.000 % in Oct 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 5.000 % for Sep 2018. Unemployment Rate: sa: Louisiana data is updated monthly, averaging 6.800 % from Jan 1976 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 514 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.100 % in Nov 1986 and a record low of 4.100 % in Oct 2007. Unemployment Rate: sa: Louisiana data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G058: Unemployment Rate: By State: Seasonally Adjusted.

Registered Unemployment Rate: Age: between 15 & 25 data was reported at 6.000 % in Mar 2026. This stayed constant from the previous number of 6.000 % for Feb 2026. Registered Unemployment Rate: Age: between 15 & 25 data is updated monthly, averaging 5.100 % from May 2007 (Median) to Mar 2026, with 227 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.700 % in Aug 2007 and a record low of 3.800 % in May 2022. Registered Unemployment Rate: Age: between 15 & 25 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Employment Agency. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.G: Registered Unemployment Rate.

Registered Unemployment Rate: Age: between 15 & 20 data was reported at 4.600 % in Mar 2026. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.700 % for Feb 2026. Registered Unemployment Rate: Age: between 15 & 20 data is updated monthly, averaging 3.900 % from May 2007 (Median) to Mar 2026, with 227 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.900 % in Aug 2007 and a record low of 2.900 % in May 2022. Registered Unemployment Rate: Age: between 15 & 20 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Employment Agency. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.G: Registered Unemployment Rate.

In 2024, the unemployment rate of Europe's five largest economies ranged from 3.4 percent in Germany, to 11.35 percent in Spain. Throughout this provided time period, unemployment has consistently been lowest in Germany, and except for 2005, 2006, and 2007, highest in Spain, when Germany briefly had a higher unemployment rate.