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.

Youth Unemployment Rate in Japan decreased to 3.90 percent in June from 4.40 percent in May of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Japan Youth 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 - 20 Yrs. & over (LNS14000024) from Jan 1948 to Aug 2025 about 20 years +, household survey, unemployment, rate, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Unemployment Rate Total: From 55 to 64 Years for United States (LRUN55TTUSM156S) from Jan 1970 to Aug 2025 about 55 to 64 years, unemployment, rate, and USA.

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.

These data are non-seasonally adjusted monthly estimates of civilian noninstitutional population, labor force, and unemployment rate by State. Population and labor force estimates are in thousands, and rates are to one implied decimal place. The dataset for 1970-1986 is for the ten largest States, all of which are official estimates. The other dataset for 1976-1986 contains data for the rest of the States and the District of Columbia, and are unofficial estimates except for North Carolina in 1985-1986.

In September 2022, the unemployment rate in the U.S. was *** percent before heading into the midterm elections. The unemployment rate may reflect the economic situation in the U.S. at any given time and is thought to be an important factor in determining the outcome of elections.

Unemployment Rate in Iceland increased to 4 percent in July from 2.70 percent in June of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Iceland 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 - 16-24 Yrs. (LNS14024887) from Jan 1948 to Aug 2025 about 16 to 24 years, unemployment, rate, and USA.

Japan - Unemployment Rate Ages 15 to 64 - Historical chart and current data through 2025.

Unemployment Rate in the United Kingdom remained unchanged at 4.70 percent in July. 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.

Sweden Unemployment Rate: 16 to 64 Years: Male data was reported at 5.700 % in Nov 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.800 % for Oct 2018. Sweden Unemployment Rate: 16 to 64 Years: Male data is updated monthly, averaging 6.000 % from Jan 1970 (Median) to Nov 2018, with 587 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.300 % in Feb 1994 and a record low of 1.100 % in Sep 1970. Sweden Unemployment Rate: 16 to 64 Years: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Sweden. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Sweden – Table SE.G022: Unemployment Rate: Statistics Sweden.

A series of recessions in the 1970s and 1980s meant that unemployment rates in some Western European countries rose to their highest levels since the Great Depression in the 1930s. While countries such as West Germany closed out the period of prosperity (known as the "Golden Age of Capitalism") with unemployment rates below one percent, figures rose gradually in the 1970s, and then furthermore in the 1980s. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the highest levels of unemployment in the listed countries were observed in Ireland and the United States; although the highest levels of unemployment in the 1980s were observed in Spain, during its transition to democracy. Of the major economic powers listed here, Japan saw the least amount of fluctuation, with a high of just 2.5 percent in the given periods; almost half of the U.S.' lowest unemployment figure in these periods.

Unemployment Rate in France remained unchanged at 7.50 percent in the second quarter of 2025 from 7.50 percent in the first quarter of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - France Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Unemployment Rate in Canada increased to 7.10 percent in August from 6.90 percent in July of 2025. This dataset provides - Canada Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate for Teenagers in the United States (DISCONTINUED) (USAURTNAA) from 1970 to 2012 about unemployment, rate, and USA.

Argentina AR: Unemployment Rate data was reported at 6.142 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6.806 % for 2022. Argentina AR: Unemployment Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 7.198 % from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2023, with 52 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19.590 % in 2002 and a record low of 2.000 % in 1979. Argentina AR: Unemployment Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Argentina – Table AR.IMF.IFS: Labour Force, Employment and Unemployment: Annual.

Japan Unemployment Rate: 45 to 54 Year data was reported at 2.100 % in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.200 % for Aug 2018. Japan Unemployment Rate: 45 to 54 Year data is updated monthly, averaging 1.900 % from Jan 1968 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 609 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.400 % in Aug 2009 and a record low of 0.400 % in Sep 1970. Japan Unemployment Rate: 45 to 54 Year data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G029: Labour Force Survey: Unemployment Rate.

From the late 19th century until the 1980s, the United States' unemployment rate was generally somewhere between three and ten percent of the total workforce. The periods when it peaked were in times of recession or depression - the Panic of 1893, which lasted until 1897, saw unemployment peak at over 18 percent, whereas the post-WWI recession saw unemployment spike to almost 12 percent in 1921.

However, the longest and most-severe period of mass unemployment in U.S. history came during the Great Depression - unemployment rose from just 3.2 percent in 1929 to one quarter of the total workforce in 1933, and it was not until the Second World War until it fell below five percent once more. Since this time, unemployment has never exceeded 10 percent, although it did come close during the recessions of the 1970s and 1980s.

More recent unemployment statistics for the U.S. can be found here.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate in Oregon (ORUR) from Jan 1976 to Aug 2025 about OR, unemployment, rate, and USA.