US Jobless Rate Falls to 4.1% in July

2026-08-07 12:32 By Agna Gabriel 1 min. read

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%.



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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
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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%.
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