Initial Jobless Claims in the United States increased to 226 thousand in the week ending August 2 of 2025 from 219 thousand in the previous week. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Initial Jobless Claims - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Jobless Claims 4-week Average in the United States decreased to 220.75 Thousand in August 2 from 221.25 Thousand in the previous week. This dataset provides - United States Jobless Claims 4-week Average- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Continuing Jobless Claims in the United States increased to 1974 thousand in the week ending July 26 of 2025 from 1936 thousand in the previous week. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Continuing Jobless Claims - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The unemployment rate in fiscal year 2204 rose to 3.9 percent. The unemployment rate of the United States which has been steadily decreasing since the 2008 financial crisis, spiked to 8.1 percent in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual unemployment rate of the U.S. since 1990 can be found here. Falling unemployment The unemployment rate, or the part of the U.S. labor force that is without a job, fell again in 2022 after peaking at 8.1 percent in 2020 - a rate that has not been seen since the years following the 2008 financial crisis. The financial crash caused unemployment in the U.S. to soar from 4.6 percent in 2007 to 9.6 percent in 2010. Since 2010, the unemployment rate had been steadily falling, meaning that more and more people are finding work, whether that be through full-time employment or part-time employment. However, the affects of the COVID-19 pandemic created a spike in unemployment across the country. U.S. unemployment in comparison Compared to unemployment rates in the European Union, U.S. unemployment is relatively low. Greece was hit particularly hard by the 2008 financial crisis and faced a government debt crisis that sent the Greek economy into a tailspin. Due to this crisis, and the added impact of the pandemic, Greece still has the highest unemployment rate in the European Union.

Unemployment Rate in the United States increased to 4.20 percent in July from 4.10 percent in June of 2025. 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.

In July 2024, 3.16 billion U.S. dollars were paid out in unemployment benefits in the United States. This is an increase from June 2024, when 2.62 billion U.S. dollars were paid in unemployment benefits. The large figures seen in 2020 are largely due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Welfare in the U.S. Unemployment benefits first started in 1935 during the Great Depression as a part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. The Social Security Act of 1935 ensured that Americans would not fall deeper into poverty. The United States was the only developed nation in the world at the time that did not offer any welfare benefits. This program created unemployment benefits, Medicare and Medicaid, and maternal and child welfare. The only major welfare program that the United States currently lacks is a paid maternity leave policy. Currently, the United States only offers 12 unpaid weeks of leave, under certain circumstances. However, the number of people without health insurance in the United States has greatly decreased since 2010. Unemployment benefits Current unemployment benefits in the United States vary from state to state due to unemployment being funded by both the state and the federal government. The average duration of people collecting unemployment benefits in the United States has fluctuated since January 2020, from as little as 4.55 weeks to as many as 50.32 weeks. The unemployment rate varies by ethnicity, gender, and education levels. For example, those aged 16 to 24 have faced the highest unemployment rates since 1990 during the pandemic. In February 2023, the Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV metropolitan area had the highest unemployment rate in the United States.

United States CES: Oth: IBT: Unemployment & Workers, Veteran Benefits data was reported at 233.000 USD in 2012. This records an increase from the previous number of 197.000 USD for 2011. United States CES: Oth: IBT: Unemployment & Workers, Veteran Benefits data is updated yearly, averaging 144.000 USD from Dec 1984 (Median) to 2012, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 254.000 USD in 2007 and a record low of 66.000 USD in 1999. United States CES: Oth: IBT: Unemployment & Workers, Veteran Benefits 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.H042: Consumer Expenditure Survey: By Occupation.

United States CES: Below 25Yrs: IBT: Unemployment & Workers, Veteran Benefits data was reported at 153.000 USD in 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 289.000 USD for 2011. United States CES: Below 25Yrs: IBT: Unemployment & Workers, Veteran Benefits data is updated yearly, averaging 88.000 USD from Dec 1984 (Median) to 2012, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 289.000 USD in 2011 and a record low of 53.000 USD in 2001. United States CES: Below 25Yrs: IBT: Unemployment & Workers, Veteran Benefits 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.H043: Consumer Expenditure Survey: By Age Group.

United States PI: TP: Govt Unemployment Insurance Benefits data was reported at 65.892 USD bn in Oct 2003. This records a decrease from the previous number of 67.116 USD bn for Sep 2003. United States PI: TP: Govt Unemployment Insurance Benefits data is updated monthly, averaging 14.982 USD bn from Jan 1959 (Median) to Oct 2003, with 538 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 70.824 USD bn in Jun 2002 and a record low of 1.728 USD bn in May 1966. United States PI: TP: Govt Unemployment Insurance Benefits data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.A201: NIPA 1999: Personal Income and Disposition.

As of October 2024, there were 133.89 million full-time employees in the United States. This is a slight decrease from the previous month, when there were 134.15 million full-time employees. The impact COVID-19 on employment In December 2019, the COVID-19 virus began its spread across the globe. Since being classified as a pandemic, the virus caused a global health crisis that has taken the lives of millions of people worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic changed many facets of society, most significantly, the economy. In the first years, many businesses across all industries were forced to shut down, with large numbers of employees being laid off. The economy continued its recovery in 2022 with the nationwide unemployment rate returning to a more normal 3.4 percent as of April 2023. Unemployment benefits Because so many people in the United States lost their jobs, record numbers of individuals applied for unemployment insurance for the first time. As an early response to this nation-wide upheaval, the government issued relief checks and extended the benefits paid by unemployment insurance. In May 2020, the amount of unemployment insurance benefits paid rose to 23.73 billion U.S. dollars. As of December 2022, this value had declined to 2.24 billion U.S. dollars.

United States PI: sa: TP: Government Unemployment Insurance Benefits data was reported at 66.800 USD bn in Sep 2003. This records an increase from the previous number of 66.000 USD bn for Jun 2003. United States PI: sa: TP: Government Unemployment Insurance Benefits data is updated quarterly, averaging 8.300 USD bn from Mar 1946 (Median) to Sep 2003, with 231 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 67.600 USD bn in Sep 2002 and a record low of 0.700 USD bn in Mar 1948. United States PI: sa: TP: Government Unemployment Insurance Benefits data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.A201: NIPA 1999: Personal Income and Disposition.

United States PI: saar: PCTR: GSB: Unemployment Insurance Benefits data was reported at 65.400 USD bn in Mar 2013. This records a decrease from the previous number of 70.700 USD bn for Dec 2012. United States PI: saar: PCTR: GSB: Unemployment Insurance Benefits data is updated quarterly, averaging 14.400 USD bn from Mar 1947 (Median) to Mar 2013, with 265 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 155.700 USD bn in Mar 2010 and a record low of 0.800 USD bn in Jun 1951. United States PI: saar: PCTR: GSB: Unemployment Insurance Benefits data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.A141: NIPA 2009: Personal Income and Disposition: Seasonally Adjusted at Annual Rates: Quarterly.

Non Farm Payrolls in the United States increased by 73 thousand in July of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Non Farm Payrolls - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

United States CES: CM: IBT: Unemployment & Workers, Veteran Benefits data was reported at 409.000 USD in 2012. This records an increase from the previous number of 387.000 USD for 2011. United States CES: CM: IBT: Unemployment & Workers, Veteran Benefits data is updated yearly, averaging 170.000 USD from Dec 1984 (Median) to 2012, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 479.000 USD in 2010 and a record low of 107.000 USD in 1987. United States CES: CM: IBT: Unemployment & Workers, Veteran Benefits 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.H042: Consumer Expenditure Survey: By Occupation.

United States CES: West: IBT: Unemployment & Workers, Veteran Benefits data was reported at 535.000 USD in 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 758.000 USD for 2011. United States CES: West: IBT: Unemployment & Workers, Veteran Benefits data is updated yearly, averaging 279.000 USD from Dec 1984 (Median) to 2012, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 763.000 USD in 2010 and a record low of 170.000 USD in 1986. United States CES: West: IBT: Unemployment & Workers, Veteran Benefits 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.H046: Consumer Expenditure Survey: By Region.

Employment Rate in the United States decreased to 59.60 percent in July from 59.70 percent in June of 2025. This dataset provides - United States Employment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Private businesses in the United States hired 104 thousand workers in July of 2025 compared to -23 thousand in June of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States ADP Employment Change - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

United States CES: FL: IBT: Unemployment & Workers, Veteran Benefits data was reported at 0.000 USD in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 707.000 USD for 2012. United States CES: FL: IBT: Unemployment & Workers, Veteran Benefits data is updated yearly, averaging 351.500 USD from Dec 1984 (Median) to 2017, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,242.000 USD in 2011 and a record low of 0.000 USD in 2017. United States CES: FL: IBT: Unemployment & Workers, Veteran Benefits 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.H045: Consumer Expenditure Survey: By Occupation.

United States CES: SE: IBT: Unemployment & Workers, Veteran Benefits data was reported at 428.000 USD in 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 579.000 USD for 2011. United States CES: SE: IBT: Unemployment & Workers, Veteran Benefits data is updated yearly, averaging 225.000 USD from Dec 1984 to 2012, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 634.000 USD in 2010 and a record low of 171.000 USD in 2001. United States CES: SE: IBT: Unemployment & Workers, Veteran Benefits 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.H045: Consumer Expenditure Survey: By Occupation.

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.