The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in the US rose by 9,000 to 200,000 in the week ending November 7th, slightly ahead of the median consensus of 195,000. Despite the increase, the levels remained well below historical averages. Continuing claims, a gauge for total outstanding unemployment in the country, fell by 13,000 to 1,679,000 in the last week of October, testing the lowest level since March 2023. The data continued to point to a robust labor market since the second half of the year, as noted by members of the FOMC, despite elevated interest rates and high energy prices. Meanwhile, initial claims filed by federal employees, which remain in the spotlight due to the administration's push to shrink the public sector, rose by 33 to 585. source: U.S. Department of Labor

Initial Jobless Claims in the United States increased to 200 thousand in the week ending November 7 of 2026 from 191 thousand in the previous week. Initial Jobless Claims in the United States averaged 358.75 Thousand from 1967 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 6137.00 Thousand in April of 2020 and a record low of 162.00 Thousand in November of 1968. This page 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. United States Initial Jobless Claims - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on November of 2026.

Initial Jobless Claims in the United States increased to 200 thousand in the week ending November 7 of 2026 from 191 thousand in the previous week. Initial Jobless Claims in the United States is expected to be 211.00 Thousand by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United States Initial Jobless Claims is projected to trend around 235.00 Thousand in 2027 and 240.00 Thousand in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-11-05 01:30 PM
Initial Jobless Claims
Oct/31 189K 195K 196K 195.0K
2026-11-12 01:30 PM
Initial Jobless Claims
Nov/07 200K 191K 195K 191.0K
2026-11-19 01:30 PM
Initial Jobless Claims
Nov/14 200K 194.0K


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Continuing Jobless Claims - Federal Workers 5327.00 5128.00 People Oct 2026
Continuing Jobless Claims 1697.00 1717.00 Thousand Oct 2026
Initial Jobless Claims 200.00 191.00 Thousand Nov 2026
Initial Jobless Claims - Federal Workers 585.00 552.00 People Oct 2026
Jobless Claims 4-week Average 195.25 195.25 Thousand Nov 2026
Labour Costs 124.39 124.60 points Sep 2026
Productivity 121.92 120.86 points Sep 2026


United States Initial Jobless Claims
Initial jobless claims refer to the number of people who have filed for unemployment benefits with their state's unemployment agency for the first time during a specific reporting period, typically on a weekly basis. .
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
200.00 191.00 6137.00 162.00 1967 - 2026 Thousand Weekly
Volume, SA

News Stream
US Initial Jobless Claims Hold Low Levels
The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in the US rose by 9,000 to 200,000 in the week ending November 7th, slightly ahead of the median consensus of 195,000. Despite the increase, the levels remained well below historical averages. Continuing claims, a gauge for total outstanding unemployment in the country, fell by 13,000 to 1,679,000 in the last week of October, testing the lowest level since March 2023. The data continued to point to a robust labor market since the second half of the year, as noted by members of the FOMC, despite elevated interest rates and high energy prices. Meanwhile, initial claims filed by federal employees, which remain in the spotlight due to the administration's push to shrink the public sector, rose by 33 to 585.
2026-11-12
US Jobless Claims Match July's 57-Year Low
Initial jobless claims in the US fell by 6,000 to 189,000 in the final week of October, below market expectations of 196,000 and down from a revised 195,000 in the previous week. The reading matched the 57-year low recorded in mid-July, pointing to continued labor market resilience despite mounting economic headwinds. Robust corporate profits and resilient domestic demand are helping limit layoffs, while employers remain cautious about staffing changes amid uncertainty over the Iran war, elevated energy costs, Fed policy and trade policy. Meanwhile, continuing claims increased by 23,000 to 1.718 million in the week ended October 24.
2026-11-05
US Initial Jobless Claims Drop to Lowest Since Mid-July
The number of people claiming unemployment benefits fell by 1,000 to 194,000 in the week ending October 24, 2026, coming in below market expectations of 199,000 and marking the lowest initial claim count since the 60-year low of 189,000 in mid-July. Continuing claims, which scales the total size of ongoing unemployment in the US, fell by 21,000 to 1,701,000, reaching their lowest level in more than three years. The data continues to reflect a resilient US labor market, in line with the Federal Reserve that cites full employment. Meanwhile, initial claims filed by federal employees, which remain in the spotlight due to the administration's push to shrink the public sector, fell by 113 to 442, remaining well below historical levels.
2026-10-29