Unemployment Rate (UNRATE)
Unemployment Rate — Historical Chart
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Sign Up FreeUnderstanding Unemployment Rate
Unemployment Rate (FRED series UNRATE) is a monthly employment indicator measured in percent. The series is published through FRED, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis economic database, with history going back to 1948. Values are seasonally adjusted, smoothing out predictable calendar effects so that underlying trends are easier to see.
Why it matters: Unemployment Rate is one of the indicators traders, economists, and policymakers watch within the employment complex. Labor market data like this shapes expectations for consumer spending, wage growth, and the Federal Reserve’s employment mandate.
How to read it: focus on the direction and persistence of changes rather than any single monthly print. Comparing the latest value against its level a year ago, and against its long-run range since 1948, gives a better sense of whether the series is signaling acceleration, deceleration, or a turning point.
About This Series
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
Recent Data
| Date | Value (%) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2026 | 4.30% | +0 |
| April 1, 2026 | 4.30% | +0 |
| March 1, 2026 | 4.30% | -0.1 |
| February 1, 2026 | 4.40% | +0.1 |
| January 1, 2026 | 4.30% | -0.1 |
| December 1, 2025 | 4.40% | -0.1 |
| November 1, 2025 | 4.50% | +0.1 |
| September 1, 2025 | 4.40% | +0.1 |
| August 1, 2025 | 4.30% | +0.1 |
| July 1, 2025 | 4.20% | +0.1 |
| June 1, 2025 | 4.10% | -0.1 |
| May 1, 2025 | 4.20% | +0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Unemployment Rate today?
The latest value of Unemployment Rate (UNRATE) is shown at the top of this page, along with its observation date and the change from the prior reading. Data is sourced from FRED and refreshed regularly.
How often is Unemployment Rate updated?
Unemployment Rate is reported monthly (Monthly). New observations appear on FRED shortly after the source agency releases them, and this page updates daily.
What does a rising Unemployment Rate mean?
A sustained rise in Unemployment Rate signals strengthening readings in this employment measure, in percent. Whether that is positive or negative for markets depends on context — compare the move against the series’ trend and related indicators in the same category.
Where does the UNRATE data come from?
The data comes from FRED® (Federal Reserve Economic Data), maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, under series ID UNRATE. History is available back to 1948.
Related Employment Indicators
- All Employees, Total Nonfarm159,001
- Initial Claims225,000
Data sourced from FRED®, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: Unemployment Rate (UNRATE). Retrieved from fred.stlouisfed.org. Last updated June 5, 2026.