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%. source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Unemployment Rate in the United States decreased to 4.20 percent in June from 4.30 percent in May 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 July of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in the United States decreased to 4.20 percent in June from 4.30 percent in May of 2026. Unemployment Rate in the United States is expected to be 4.50 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
2026-06-05 12:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
May 4.3% 4.3% 4.3% 4.4%
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 4.2%



Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Long Term Unemployment Rate 1.14 1.17 percent Jun 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 9.20 9.40 percent Jun 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Hourly Earnings MoM 0.30 0.30 percent Jun 2026
Average Hourly Earnings YoY 3.50 3.40 percent Jun 2026
Average Weekly Hours 34.30 34.30 Hours Jun 2026
Employment Rate 59.00 59.20 percent Jun 2026
Government Payrolls 8.00 32.00 Thousand Jun 2026
Participation Rate 61.50 61.80 percent Jun 2026
Manufacturing Payrolls 3.00 -2.00 Thousand Jun 2026
Non Farm Payrolls 57.00 129.00 Thousand Jun 2026
Nonfarm Payrolls Private 49.00 97.00 Thousand Jun 2026
Unemployed Persons 7094.00 7307.00 Thousand Jun 2026
Mean Unemployment Rate Expectations 43.20 43.90 percent May 2026
Unemployment Rate 4.20 4.30 percent Jun 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
4.20 4.30 14.80 2.50 1948 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
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
US Jobless Rate Unchanged in April
The US unemployment rate held at 4.3% in April 2026, in line with market expectations. However, the number of unemployed rose by 134,000 to 7.37 million, while total employment fell by 226,000 to 162.62 million. The labor force shrank by 92,000 to 170.0 million, pushing the participation rate down 0.1 percentage point to 61.8%, its lowest since October 2021. The employment rate also declined to 59.1%, the lowest in over four years, from 59.2%. Meanwhile, the broader U-6 unemployment rate, which includes discouraged and underemployed workers, increased to 8.2% from 8.0%.
2026-05-08