The US unemployment rate held steady at 4.2% in May 2025 for a second straight month, matching market expectations. The rate has remained within a narrow 4.0%–4.2% range since May 2024. The number of unemployed rose by 71,000 to 7.237 million, while employment dropped sharply by 696,000 to 163.273 million. The labor force participation rate declined by 0.2 percentage points to 62.4%, matching February's two-year low, while the employment-population ratio declined by 0.3 percentage point to 59.7%, reaching the lowest level since January 2022. Additionally, the U-6 unemployment rate, which includes those marginally attached to the labor force and those working part-time for economic reasons, was unchanged at 7.8%. source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Unemployment Rate in the United States remained unchanged at 4.20 percent in May. Unemployment Rate in the United States averaged 5.68 percent from 1948 until 2025, reaching an all time high of 14.90 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 June of 2025.

Unemployment Rate in the United States remained unchanged at 4.20 percent in May. Unemployment Rate in the United States is expected to be 4.20 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 2026 and 4.20 percent in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2025-05-02 12:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Apr 4.2% 4.2% 4.2% 4.2%
2025-06-06 12:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
May 4.2% 4.2% 4.2% 4.2%
2025-07-03 12:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Jun 4.2% 4.2%

Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Long Term Unemployment Rate 0.85 0.98 percent May 2025
Youth Unemployment Rate 9.70 9.60 percent May 2025

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Hourly Earnings MoM 0.40 0.20 percent May 2025
Average Hourly Earnings YoY 3.90 3.90 percent May 2025
Average Weekly Hours 34.30 34.30 Hours May 2025
Employment Rate 59.70 60.00 percent May 2025
Government Payrolls -1.00 1.00 Thousand May 2025
Participation Rate 62.40 62.60 percent May 2025
Manufacturing Payrolls -8.00 5.00 Thousand May 2025
Non Farm Payrolls 139.00 147.00 Thousand May 2025
Nonfarm Payrolls Private 140.00 146.00 Thousand May 2025
Unemployed Persons 7237.00 7166.00 Thousand May 2025
Unemployment Rate 4.20 4.20 percent May 2025

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 4.20 14.90 2.50 1948 - 2025 percent Monthly

News Stream
US Jobless Rate Unchanged at 4.2%
The US unemployment rate held steady at 4.2% in May 2025 for a second straight month, matching market expectations. The rate has remained within a narrow 4.0%–4.2% range since May 2024. The number of unemployed rose by 71,000 to 7.237 million, while employment dropped sharply by 696,000 to 163.273 million. The labor force participation rate declined by 0.2 percentage points to 62.4%, matching February's two-year low, while the employment-population ratio declined by 0.3 percentage point to 59.7%, reaching the lowest level since January 2022. Additionally, the U-6 unemployment rate, which includes those marginally attached to the labor force and those working part-time for economic reasons, was unchanged at 7.8%.
2025-06-06
US Jobless Rate Holds at 4.2%, as Expected
The US unemployment rate was at 4.2% in April 2025, the same as in March and in line with market expectations. The number of unemployed individuals increased by 82,000 to 7.165 million, while employment grew by 436,000 to reach 163.944 million. The labor force participation rate also edged up to 62.6% from 62.5%, and the employment-population ratio to 60% from 59.9%. Additionally, the U-6 unemployment rate, which includes those marginally attached to the labor force and those working part-time for economic reasons, decreased to 7.8% in April from 7.9% in the previous month.
2025-05-02
US Jobless Rate Rises to 4.2% in March
The U.S. unemployment rate rose to 4.2% in March 2025, the highest level since November and slightly above market expectations of 4.1%. The number of unemployed individuals increased by 31,000 to 7.08 million, while employment grew by 201,000 to reach 163.51 million. The labor force participation rate also edged up to 62.5% from 62.4%, and the employment-population ratio remained steady at 59.9%. Additionally, the U-6 unemployment rate, which includes those marginally attached to the labor force and those working part-time for economic reasons, decreased slightly to 7.9% in March from 8.0% in the previous month.
2025-04-04