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.

U.S. unemployment rate for 2024 was 4.11%, a 0.47% increase from 2023.

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<li>U.S. unemployment rate for 2023 was <strong>3.64%</strong>, a <strong>0.01% decline</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>U.S. unemployment rate for 2022 was <strong>3.65%</strong>, a <strong>1.7% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>U.S. unemployment rate for 2021 was <strong>5.35%</strong>, a <strong>2.71% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
</ul>Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.

In 2023, it was estimated that over 161 million Americans were in some form of employment, while 3.64 percent of the total workforce was unemployed. This was the lowest unemployment rate since the 1950s, although these figures are expected to rise in 2023 and beyond. 1980s-2010s Since the 1980s, the total United States labor force has generally risen as the population has grown, however, the annual average unemployment rate has fluctuated significantly, usually increasing in times of crisis, before falling more slowly during periods of recovery and economic stability. For example, unemployment peaked at 9.7 percent during the early 1980s recession, which was largely caused by the ripple effects of the Iranian Revolution on global oil prices and inflation. Other notable spikes came during the early 1990s; again, largely due to inflation caused by another oil shock, and during the early 2000s recession. The Great Recession then saw the U.S. unemployment rate soar to 9.6 percent, following the collapse of the U.S. housing market and its impact on the banking sector, and it was not until 2016 that unemployment returned to pre-recession levels. 2020s 2019 had marked a decade-long low in unemployment, before the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic saw the sharpest year-on-year increase in unemployment since the Great Depression, and the total number of workers fell by almost 10 million people. Despite the continuation of the pandemic in the years that followed, alongside the associated supply-chain issues and onset of the inflation crisis, unemployment reached just 3.67 percent in 2022 - current projections are for this figure to rise in 2023 and the years that follow, although these forecasts are subject to change if recent years are anything to go by.

In 2021, the unemployment rate among the United States workforce was approximately 5.35 percent - this was roughly 3.8 percent lower than the unemployment rate in 2020, during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, but was still around one percent higher than pre-pandemic levels.

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

United States Unemployment Rate: sa: Male: Age 16 to 17 data was reported at 11.300 % in Oct 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 14.600 % for Sep 2018. United States Unemployment Rate: sa: Male: Age 16 to 17 data is updated monthly, averaging 18.800 % from Jan 1948 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 850 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 36.400 % in Aug 2012 and a record low of 6.300 % in Feb 1953. United States Unemployment Rate: sa: Male: Age 16 to 17 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.G021: Current Population Survey: Unemployment Rate: Seasonally Adjusted.

Employment Rate in the United States decreased to 59.70 percent in May from 60 percent in April of 2025. This dataset provides - United States Employment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

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

This statistic displays the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate among persons between 16 and 24 years in the United States in 2012, by state. In California, youth unemployment stood at 20.2 percent in 2012.

The general unemployment rate by state can be found here, the annual national unemployment rate can be found here.

World unemployment rate for 2023 was 4.96%, a 0.3% decline from 2022.

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<li>World unemployment rate for 2022 was <strong>5.26%</strong>, a <strong>0.77% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>World unemployment rate for 2021 was <strong>6.03%</strong>, a <strong>0.55% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>World unemployment rate for 2020 was <strong>6.59%</strong>, a <strong>1% increase</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.

Unemployment Rate: Rhode Island data was reported at 3.600 % in Jun 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.800 % for May 2018. Unemployment Rate: Rhode Island data is updated monthly, averaging 6.050 % from Jan 1976 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 510 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12.200 % in Jan 2012 and a record low of 2.400 % in May 1988. Unemployment Rate: Rhode Island 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.G057: Unemployment Rate: By State.

In December 2024, Nevada had the highest unemployment rate in the United States, with an unemployment rate of 5.7. The unemployment rate was also high in the District of Columbia, with an unemployment rate of 5.6 percent in December. Unemployment in the U.S. A person is considered unemployed if they have no job and are currently looking for a job and available to work. The unemployment rate in the United States varies across states. Nation-wide unemployment was 3.4 percent as of April 2023. Unemployment can be affected by various factors including economic conditions and global competition. During economic prosperity, unemployment rates generally decrease and during times of recession, rates increase. The seasons can also have an impact on the unemployment rate, especially during winter, when there is lower demand for construction workers or other professionals who typically work outdoors. The retail sector also experiences fluctuating demand for workers, particularly during the holiday-shopping season, when demand for workers increases. For this reason, labor statistics are usually presented as being either seasonally adjusted or unadjusted. The data presented in this statistic have been seasonally adjusted, but the monthly unadjusted unemployment rate can be accessed here.

In 2024, around 6.2 percent of people aged 25 and older who had less than a high school diploma, were unemployed. After relatively high levels of unemployment across all education groups in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment levels have decreased in the subsequent years. The monthly unemployment rate in the U.S. can be accessed here and the unemployment rate for each U.S. state can be accessed here.

United States - Unemployment Rate - Some College, No Degree, 16 to 17 years was 10.10% in January of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Unemployment Rate - Some College, No Degree, 16 to 17 years reached a record high of 54.20 in June of 2003 and a record low of 0.90 in September of 2012. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Unemployment Rate - Some College, No Degree, 16 to 17 years - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

The percent of persons between the ages of 16 and 64 that are in the labor force (and are looking for work) but are not currently working. Source: American Community Survey Years Available: 2006-2010, 2007-2011, 2008-2012, 2009-2013, 2010-2014, 2011-2015, 2012-2016, 2013-2017, 2014-2018, 2015-2019, 2016-2020, 2017-2021, 2018-2022, 2019-2023Please note: We do not recommend comparing overlapping years of data due to the nature of this dataset. For more information, please visit: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/guidance/comparing-acs-data.html

United States CBO Projection: Natural Rate of Unemployment data was reported at 4.553 NA in Dec 2028. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.554 NA for Sep 2028. United States CBO Projection: Natural Rate of Unemployment data is updated quarterly, averaging 4.800 NA from Sep 2002 (Median) to Dec 2028, with 106 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.000 NA in Dec 2012 and a record low of 4.553 NA in Dec 2028. United States CBO Projection: Natural Rate of Unemployment data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Congressional Budget Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G019: Current Population Survey: Unemployment Rate: Projection: Congressional Budget Office.

The unadjusted unemployment rate in the United States stood at 3.9 percent in October 2024. This data is not seasonally adjusted. The adjusted monthly unemployment rate can be found here and the monthly civilian labor force participation rate here.

United States US: Employment In Services: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Employment data was reported at 79.446 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 79.549 % for 2016. United States US: Employment In Services: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 77.160 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 79.933 % in 2012 and a record low of 72.551 % in 1991. United States US: Employment In Services: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Employment data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: Employment and Unemployment. Employment is defined as persons of working age who were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangement. The services sector consists of wholesale and retail trade and restaurants and hotels; transport, storage, and communications; financing, insurance, real estate, and business services; and community, social, and personal services, in accordance with divisions 6-9 (ISIC 2) or categories G-Q (ISIC 3) or categories G-U (ISIC 4).; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections.

FRBOP Forecast: Ann Natural Rate of Unemployment: sa: Mean data was reported at 4.410 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.841 % for 2016. FRBOP Forecast: Ann Natural Rate of Unemployment: sa: Mean data is updated yearly, averaging 5.013 % from Dec 1996 (Median) to 2017, with 22 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.927 % in 2012 and a record low of 4.410 % in 2017. FRBOP Forecast: Ann Natural Rate of Unemployment: sa: Mean data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G022: Current Population Survey: Unemployment Rate: Seasonally Adjusted: Forecast: Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

This statistic shows college majors with the highest unemployment rates in the United States between 2009 and 2012. The rate of unemployment for students with an international business major stood at 12.3 percent in 2012.