The US unemployment rate dropped to 4.1% in July 2026, down from 4.2% in June and below expectations, as many people left the workforce. The number of unemployed fell by 178,000 to 6.916 million, while total employment declined by 87,000 to 162.177 million. The labor force contracted by 264,000 to 169.094 million, with the participation rate falling to 61.4%, its lowest since early 2021. The employment rate also dipped to 58.9%, the lowest since September 2021. The broader U-6 unemployment rate, which includes discouraged and underemployed workers, was unchanged at 7.9%. source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Unemployment Rate in the United States decreased to 4.10 percent in July from 4.20 percent in June of 2026. Unemployment Rate in the United States averaged 5.66 percent from 1948 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 14.80 percent in April of 2020 and a record low of 2.50 percent in May of 1953. This page 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. United States Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on August of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in the United States decreased to 4.10 percent in July from 4.20 percent in June of 2026. Unemployment Rate in the United States is expected to be 4.30 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United States Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 4.30 percent in 2027 and 4.20 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-07-02 12:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Jun 4.2% 4.3% 4.3% 4.3%
2026-08-07 12:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Jul 4.1% 4.2% 4.2% 4.2%
2026-09-04 12:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Aug 4.1% 4.2%



Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Long Term Unemployment Rate 1.05 1.14 percent Jul 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 8.50 9.20 percent Jul 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Hourly Earnings MoM 0.10 0.30 percent Jul 2026
Average Hourly Earnings YoY 3.20 3.40 percent Jul 2026
Average Weekly Hours 34.30 34.30 Hours Jul 2026
Employment Rate 58.90 59.00 percent Jul 2026
Government Payrolls -53.00 -10.00 Thousand Jul 2026
Participation Rate 61.40 61.50 percent Jul 2026
Manufacturing Payrolls 5.00 11.00 Thousand Jul 2026
Non Farm Payrolls -23.00 20.00 Thousand Jul 2026
Nonfarm Payrolls Private 30.00 30.00 Thousand Jul 2026
Unemployed Persons 6916.00 7094.00 Thousand Jul 2026
Mean Unemployment Rate Expectations 42.80 41.70 percent Jul 2026
Unemployment Rate 4.10 4.20 percent Jul 2026


United States Unemployment Rate
In the United States, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
4.10 4.20 14.80 2.50 1948 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
US Jobless Rate Falls to 4.1% in July
The US unemployment rate dropped to 4.1% in July 2026, down from 4.2% in June and below expectations, as many people left the workforce. The number of unemployed fell by 178,000 to 6.916 million, while total employment declined by 87,000 to 162.177 million. The labor force contracted by 264,000 to 169.094 million, with the participation rate falling to 61.4%, its lowest since early 2021. The employment rate also dipped to 58.9%, the lowest since September 2021. The broader U-6 unemployment rate, which includes discouraged and underemployed workers, was unchanged at 7.9%.
2026-08-07
US Unemployment Falls in June as Labor Force Shrinks
The US unemployment rate dropped to 4.2% in June 2026, down from 4.3% in May and below expectations, as many people left the workforce. The number of unemployed fell by 213,000 to 7.09 million, while total employment declined by 507,000 to 162.26 million. The labor force contracted by 720,000 to 169.36 million, with the participation rate falling to 61.5%, its lowest since March 2021. The employment rate also dipped to an over four-year low of 59.0%. The broader U-6 unemployment rate, which includes discouraged and underemployed workers, decreased to 7.9% from 8.1%.
2026-07-02
US Unemployment Stable at 4.3% in May
The US unemployment rate remained at 4.3% in May 2026, matching market expectations. The number of unemployed decreased by 66,000 to 7.31 million, while total employment increased by 149,000 to 162.77 million. The labor force grew by 83,000 to 170.08 million, with the participation rate unchanged at 61.8%, its lowest since October 2021. The employment rate inched up to 59.2% from a four-year low of 59.1%. The broader U-6 unemployment rate, which includes discouraged and underemployed workers, fell to 8.1% from 8.2%.
2026-06-05