Every month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases a report on the employment situation for the previous month. Their release includes data on job growth, unemployment, and wage growth, which gives us a snapshot of the health of the economy and whether it’s working for ordinary Americans.
Economic Indicators Jobs and unemployment
Key numbers • September 2019
3.5%
National unemployment rate
136,000
Number of new jobs added in September
80.1%
Share of prime working-age population with a job
2.9%
Average nominal wage growth since September 2018
September 2019
Jobs report: Disappointing wage growth in September
U.S. employers hired 136,000 additional workers last month on net and wage growth slowed considerably rising only 2.9% over the year. Notably, private sector employment growth was weaker, growing only 114,000 in September with outright declines in both manufacturing and retail. Much of the public sector employment occurred at the state and local level and was not a result of additional Census hiring.
The unemployment rate fell to 3.5% from 3.7% in August. This is the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years. The labor force participation rate held steady at 63.2%, where it started the year. At the same time, the employment-to-population ratio rose by 0.1 percentage points. Taken together, this means that the unemployment rate fell for the right reasons as more people in the labor force got jobs.
The most disappointing news in today’s report is slowing nominal wage growth. Nominal wages rose 2.9% year-over-year in September, which is slower than expected in an economy that has had historically low unemployment—the unemployment rate has been at (or below) 4.0% for the past 19 months. There’s a chance the recent low of 2.9% is a blip, but it’s certainly a troubling sign and something to watch in coming months especially after the deceleration experienced in the first half of 2019.
The report suggests the Federal Reserve is doing the right thing by gradually lowering interest rates to ensure the longest recovery in modern economic history can be sustained—rather than peter out just as many lower- and middle-income households are starting to feel its benefits.
Charting jobs and unemployment
Monthly change in payroll employment, 2007–2019
| date | Change in employment |
|---|---|
| Jan-2007 | 225 |
| Feb-2007 | 80 |
| Mar-2007 | 237 |
| Apr-2007 | 50 |
| May-2007 | 152 |
| Jun-2007 | 76 |
| Jul-2007 | -33 |
| Aug-2007 | -23 |
| Sep-2007 | 82 |
| Oct-2007 | 76 |
| Nov-2007 | 109 |
| Dec-2007 | 110 |
| Jan-2008 | 13 |
| Feb-2008 | -82 |
| Mar-2008 | -48 |
| Apr-2008 | -236 |
| May-2008 | -184 |
| Jun-2008 | -166 |
| Jul-2008 | -198 |
| Aug-2008 | -279 |
| Sep-2008 | -460 |
| Oct-2008 | -481 |
| Nov-2008 | -727 |
| Dec-2008 | -704 |
| Jan-2009 | -783 |
| Feb-2009 | -742 |
| Mar-2009 | -803 |
| Apr-2009 | -694 |
| May-2009 | -344 |
| Jun-2009 | -465 |
| Jul-2009 | -341 |
| Aug-2009 | -184 |
| Sep-2009 | -242 |
| Oct-2009 | -198 |
| Nov-2009 | 12 |
| Dec-2009 | -269 |
| Jan-2010 | 3 |
| Feb-2010 | -92 |
| Mar-2010 | 180 |
| Apr-2010 | 237 |
| May-2010 | 534 |
| Jun-2010 | -136 |
| Jul-2010 | -88 |
| Aug-2010 | -5 |
| Sep-2010 | -64 |
| Oct-2010 | 269 |
| Nov-2010 | 123 |
| Dec-2010 | 74 |
| Jan-2011 | 20 |
| Feb-2011 | 213 |
| Mar-2011 | 232 |
| Apr-2011 | 321 |
| May-2011 | 95 |
| Jun-2011 | 235 |
| Jul-2011 | 61 |
| Aug-2011 | 122 |
| Sep-2011 | 236 |
| Oct-2011 | 204 |
| Nov-2011 | 132 |
| Dec-2011 | 204 |
| Jan-2012 | 355 |
| Feb-2012 | 262 |
| Mar-2012 | 238 |
| Apr-2012 | 83 |
| May-2012 | 99 |
| Jun-2012 | 72 |
| Jul-2012 | 153 |
| Aug-2012 | 170 |
| Sep-2012 | 189 |
| Oct-2012 | 158 |
| Nov-2012 | 158 |
| Dec-2012 | 237 |
| Jan-2013 | 195 |
| Feb-2013 | 279 |
| Mar-2013 | 136 |
| Apr-2013 | 192 |
| May-2013 | 224 |
| Jun-2013 | 181 |
| Jul-2013 | 105 |
| Aug-2013 | 242 |
| Sep-2013 | 189 |
| Oct-2013 | 225 |
| Nov-2013 | 267 |
| Dec-2013 | 67 |
| Jan-2014 | 177 |
| Feb-2014 | 168 |
| Mar-2014 | 250 |
| Apr-2014 | 327 |
| May-2014 | 221 |
| Jun-2014 | 324 |
| Jul-2014 | 227 |
| Aug-2014 | 188 |
| Sep-2014 | 311 |
| Oct-2014 | 258 |
| Nov-2014 | 286 |
| Dec-2014 | 269 |
| Jan-2015 | 213 |
| Feb-2015 | 248 |
| Mar-2015 | 77 |
| Apr-2015 | 300 |
| May-2015 | 319 |
| Jun-2015 | 170 |
| Jul-2015 | 293 |
| Aug-2015 | 122 |
| Sep-2015 | 133 |
| Oct-2015 | 339 |
| Nov-2015 | 235 |
| Dec-2015 | 280 |
| Jan-2016 | 90 |
| Feb-2016 | 232 |
| Mar-2016 | 234 |
| Apr-2016 | 211 |
| May-2016 | 15 |
| Jun-2016 | 282 |
| Jul-2016 | 336 |
| Aug-2016 | 135 |
| Sep-2016 | 270 |
| Oct-2016 | 128 |
| Nov-2016 | 170 |
| Dec-2016 | 215 |
| Jan-2017 | 252 |
| Feb-2017 | 141 |
| Mar-2017 | 127 |
| Apr-2017 | 213 |
| May-2017 | 128 |
| Jun-2017 | 229 |
| Jul-2017 | 204 |
| Aug-2017 | 187 |
| Sep-2017 | 18 |
| Oct-2017 | 260 |
| Nov-2017 | 220 |
| Dec-2017 | 174 |
| Jan-2018 | 171 |
| Feb-2018 | 330 |
| Mar-2018 | 182 |
| Apr-2018 | 196 |
| May-2018 | 270 |
| Jun-2018 | 262 |
| Jul-2018 | 178 |
| Aug-2018 | 282 |
| Sep-2018 | 108 |
| Oct-2018 | 277 |
| Nov-2018 | 196 |
| Dec-2018 | 227 |
| Jan-2019 | 312 |
| Feb-2019 | 56 |
| Mar-2019 | 153 |
| Apr-2019 | 216 |
| May-2019 | 62 |
| Jun-2019 | 178 |
| Jul-2019 | 166 |
| Aug-2019 | 168 |
| Sep-2019 | 136 |
Note: Shaded areas denote recessions.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics' Current Employment Statistics public data series
Nominal wage growth has been far below target in the recovery: Year-over-year change in private-sector nominal average hourly earnings, 2007–2019
| Date | All nonfarm employees | Production/nonsupervisory workers |
|---|---|---|
| Mar-2007 | 3.44% | 4.11% |
| Apr-2007 | 3.08% | 3.79% |
| May-2007 | 3.48% | 4.14% |
| Jun-2007 | 3.56% | 4.19% |
| Jul-2007 | 3.25% | 4.05% |
| Aug-2007 | 3.35% | 3.98% |
| Sep-2007 | 3.14% | 4.09% |
| Oct-2007 | 3.08% | 3.78% |
| Nov-2007 | 3.07% | 3.83% |
| Dec-2007 | 2.97% | 3.81% |
| Jan-2008 | 2.91% | 3.80% |
| Feb-2008 | 2.80% | 3.79% |
| Mar-2008 | 3.04% | 3.83% |
| Apr-2008 | 2.84% | 3.76% |
| May-2008 | 3.07% | 3.69% |
| Jun-2008 | 2.77% | 3.56% |
| Jul-2008 | 3.05% | 3.67% |
| Aug-2008 | 3.33% | 3.89% |
| Sep-2008 | 3.23% | 3.64% |
| Oct-2008 | 3.27% | 3.81% |
| Nov-2008 | 3.60% | 3.91% |
| Dec-2008 | 3.59% | 3.90% |
| Jan-2009 | 3.63% | 3.72% |
| Feb-2009 | 3.43% | 3.65% |
| Mar-2009 | 3.28% | 3.47% |
| Apr-2009 | 3.42% | 3.35% |
| May-2009 | 2.93% | 3.06% |
| Jun-2009 | 2.83% | 2.88% |
| Jul-2009 | 2.69% | 2.71% |
| Aug-2009 | 2.44% | 2.70% |
| Sep-2009 | 2.44% | 2.75% |
| Oct-2009 | 2.53% | 2.68% |
| Nov-2009 | 2.19% | 2.67% |
| Dec-2009 | 1.91% | 2.50% |
| Jan-2010 | 2.05% | 2.66% |
| Feb-2010 | 2.09% | 2.55% |
| Mar-2010 | 1.81% | 2.27% |
| Apr-2010 | 1.76% | 2.38% |
| May-2010 | 1.90% | 2.59% |
| Jun-2010 | 1.76% | 2.53% |
| Jul-2010 | 1.85% | 2.42% |
| Aug-2010 | 1.75% | 2.36% |
| Sep-2010 | 1.84% | 2.19% |
| Oct-2010 | 1.93% | 2.45% |
| Nov-2010 | 1.65% | 2.13% |
| Dec-2010 | 1.79% | 2.02% |
| Jan-2011 | 1.92% | 2.28% |
| Feb-2011 | 1.87% | 2.06% |
| Mar-2011 | 1.87% | 2.06% |
| Apr-2011 | 1.91% | 2.16% |
| May-2011 | 2.04% | 2.10% |
| Jun-2011 | 2.13% | 2.05% |
| Jul-2011 | 2.30% | 2.26% |
| Aug-2011 | 1.99% | 1.94% |
| Sep-2011 | 1.94% | 1.99% |
| Oct-2011 | 2.07% | 1.88% |
| Nov-2011 | 2.02% | 1.82% |
| Dec-2011 | 1.98% | 1.77% |
| Jan-2012 | 1.71% | 1.35% |
| Feb-2012 | 1.79% | 1.45% |
| Mar-2012 | 2.10% | 1.76% |
| Apr-2012 | 2.09% | 1.65% |
| May-2012 | 1.78% | 1.39% |
| Jun-2012 | 2.00% | 1.54% |
| Jul-2012 | 1.77% | 1.44% |
| Aug-2012 | 1.86% | 1.33% |
| Sep-2012 | 2.03% | 1.54% |
| Oct-2012 | 1.51% | 1.18% |
| Nov-2012 | 1.90% | 1.43% |
| Dec-2012 | 2.24% | 1.69% |
| Jan-2013 | 2.24% | 1.84% |
| Feb-2013 | 2.15% | 2.04% |
| Mar-2013 | 1.93% | 1.88% |
| Apr-2013 | 2.05% | 1.83% |
| May-2013 | 2.14% | 1.93% |
| Jun-2013 | 2.13% | 2.03% |
| Jul-2013 | 2.00% | 1.97% |
| Aug-2013 | 2.26% | 2.23% |
| Sep-2013 | 2.04% | 2.22% |
| Oct-2013 | 2.25% | 2.32% |
| Nov-2013 | 2.24% | 2.37% |
| Dec-2013 | 1.85% | 2.21% |
| Jan-2014 | 1.89% | 2.31% |
| Feb-2014 | 2.27% | 2.55% |
| Mar-2014 | 2.10% | 2.30% |
| Apr-2014 | 1.93% | 2.29% |
| May-2014 | 2.09% | 2.44% |
| Jun-2014 | 1.96% | 2.24% |
| Jul-2014 | 2.04% | 2.33% |
| Aug-2014 | 2.16% | 2.43% |
| Sep-2014 | 2.08% | 2.22% |
| Oct-2014 | 2.03% | 2.27% |
| Nov-2014 | 2.03% | 2.22% |
| Dec-2014 | 1.99% | 1.92% |
| Jan-2015 | 2.19% | 2.01% |
| Feb-2015 | 1.93% | 1.66% |
| Mar-2015 | 2.22% | 1.95% |
| Apr-2015 | 2.26% | 2.00% |
| May-2015 | 2.34% | 2.14% |
| Jun-2015 | 2.25% | 2.14% |
| Jul-2015 | 2.17% | 2.04% |
| Aug-2015 | 2.20% | 1.98% |
| Sep-2015 | 2.28% | 2.08% |
| Oct-2015 | 2.52% | 2.37% |
| Nov-2015 | 2.43% | 2.12% |
| Dec-2015 | 2.47% | 2.51% |
| Jan-2016 | 2.55% | 2.40% |
| Feb-2016 | 2.42% | 2.50% |
| Mar-2016 | 2.45% | 2.49% |
| Apr-2016 | 2.61% | 2.58% |
| May-2016 | 2.40% | 2.33% |
| Jun-2016 | 2.60% | 2.48% |
| Jul-2016 | 2.76% | 2.62% |
| Aug-2016 | 2.55% | 2.51% |
| Sep-2016 | 2.63% | 2.46% |
| Oct-2016 | 2.66% | 2.41% |
| Nov-2016 | 2.61% | 2.50% |
| Dec-2016 | 2.65% | 2.50% |
| Jan-2017 | 2.40% | 2.39% |
| Feb-2017 | 2.72% | 2.34% |
| Mar-2017 | 2.55% | 2.29% |
| Apr-2017 | 2.47% | 2.24% |
| May-2017 | 2.54% | 2.33% |
| Jun-2017 | 2.50% | 2.32% |
| Jul-2017 | 2.57% | 2.32% |
| Aug-2017 | 2.57% | 2.31% |
| Sep-2017 | 2.83% | 2.59% |
| Oct-2017 | 2.32% | 2.16% |
| Nov-2017 | 2.47% | 2.35% |
| Dec-2017 | 2.74% | 2.48% |
| Jan-2018 | 2.81% | 2.47% |
| Feb-2018 | 2.57% | 2.47% |
| Mar-2018 | 2.80% | 2.74% |
| Apr-2018 | 2.79% | 2.78% |
| May-2018 | 2.94% | 2.91% |
| Jun-2018 | 2.93% | 2.91% |
| Jul-2018 | 2.85% | 2.85% |
| Aug-2018 | 3.18% | 3.12% |
| Sep-2018 | 2.98% | 3.02% |
| Oct-2018 | 3.32% | 3.25% |
| Nov-2018 | 3.31% | 3.37% |
| Dec-2018 | 3.34% | 3.50% |
| Jan-2019 | 3.18% | 3.35% |
| Feb-2019 | 3.40% | 3.44% |
| Mar-2019 | 3.24% | 3.38% |
| Apr-2019 | 3.16% | 3.33% |
| May-2019 | 3.08% | 3.36% |
| Jun-2019 | 3.18% | 3.35% |
| Jul-2019 | 3.25% | 3.52% |
| Aug-2019 | 3.20% | 3.55% |
| Sep-2019 | 2.89% | 3.46% |
* Nominal wage growth consistent with the Federal Reserve Board’s 2 percent inflation target, 1.5 percent productivity growth, and a stable labor share of income
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Employment Statistics public data series
Employment-to-population ratio of workers ages 25–54, 1989–2019
| date | Employment to population ratio |
|---|---|
| Jan-1989 | 80% |
| Feb-1989 | 79.9 |
| Mar-1989 | 79.9 |
| Apr-1989 | 79.8 |
| May-1989 | 79.8 |
| Jun-1989 | 79.8 |
| Jul-1989 | 79.8 |
| Aug-1989 | 79.9 |
| Sep-1989 | 80 |
| Oct-1989 | 79.9 |
| Nov-1989 | 80.2 |
| Dec-1989 | 80.1 |
| Jan-1990 | 80.2 |
| Feb-1990 | 80.2 |
| Mar-1990 | 80.1 |
| Apr-1990 | 79.9 |
| May-1990 | 79.9 |
| Jun-1990 | 79.8 |
| Jul-1990 | 79.6 |
| Aug-1990 | 79.5 |
| Sep-1990 | 79.4 |
| Oct-1990 | 79.4 |
| Nov-1990 | 79.2 |
| Dec-1990 | 79 |
| Jan-1991 | 78.9 |
| Feb-1991 | 78.9 |
| Mar-1991 | 78.7 |
| Apr-1991 | 79 |
| May-1991 | 78.6 |
| Jun-1991 | 78.7 |
| Jul-1991 | 78.6 |
| Aug-1991 | 78.5 |
| Sep-1991 | 78.6 |
| Oct-1991 | 78.5 |
| Nov-1991 | 78.4 |
| Dec-1991 | 78.3 |
| Jan-1992 | 78.4 |
| Feb-1992 | 78.2 |
| Mar-1992 | 78.2 |
| Apr-1992 | 78.4 |
| May-1992 | 78.4 |
| Jun-1992 | 78.5 |
| Jul-1992 | 78.4 |
| Aug-1992 | 78.4 |
| Sep-1992 | 78.3 |
| Oct-1992 | 78.2 |
| Nov-1992 | 78.2 |
| Dec-1992 | 78.2 |
| Jan-1993 | 78.2 |
| Feb-1993 | 78.1 |
| Mar-1993 | 78.2 |
| Apr-1993 | 78.2 |
| May-1993 | 78.5 |
| Jun-1993 | 78.6 |
| Jul-1993 | 78.6 |
| Aug-1993 | 78.8 |
| Sep-1993 | 78.6 |
| Oct-1993 | 78.7 |
| Nov-1993 | 79 |
| Dec-1993 | 79 |
| Jan-1994 | 78.9 |
| Feb-1994 | 78.9 |
| Mar-1994 | 78.9 |
| Apr-1994 | 79 |
| May-1994 | 79.2 |
| Jun-1994 | 78.8 |
| Jul-1994 | 79.1 |
| Aug-1994 | 79.2 |
| Sep-1994 | 79.6 |
| Oct-1994 | 79.6 |
| Nov-1994 | 79.8 |
| Dec-1994 | 79.8 |
| Jan-1995 | 79.7 |
| Feb-1995 | 80 |
| Mar-1995 | 79.9 |
| Apr-1995 | 79.8 |
| May-1995 | 79.7 |
| Jun-1995 | 79.5 |
| Jul-1995 | 79.7 |
| Aug-1995 | 79.6 |
| Sep-1995 | 79.8 |
| Oct-1995 | 79.8 |
| Nov-1995 | 79.7 |
| Dec-1995 | 79.7 |
| Jan-1996 | 79.8 |
| Feb-1996 | 79.9 |
| Mar-1996 | 79.9 |
| Apr-1996 | 79.9 |
| May-1996 | 80 |
| Jun-1996 | 80.1 |
| Jul-1996 | 80.4 |
| Aug-1996 | 80.5 |
| Sep-1996 | 80.4 |
| Oct-1996 | 80.6 |
| Nov-1996 | 80.5 |
| Dec-1996 | 80.5 |
| Jan-1997 | 80.5 |
| Feb-1997 | 80.4 |
| Mar-1997 | 80.6 |
| Apr-1997 | 80.7 |
| May-1997 | 80.6 |
| Jun-1997 | 80.9 |
| Jul-1997 | 81.1 |
| Aug-1997 | 81.3 |
| Sep-1997 | 81.1 |
| Oct-1997 | 81.1 |
| Nov-1997 | 81 |
| Dec-1997 | 81 |
| Jan-1998 | 81 |
| Feb-1998 | 81 |
| Mar-1998 | 81 |
| Apr-1998 | 81.1 |
| May-1998 | 81 |
| Jun-1998 | 81 |
| Jul-1998 | 81.1 |
| Aug-1998 | 81.2 |
| Sep-1998 | 81.3 |
| Oct-1998 | 81.1 |
| Nov-1998 | 81.2 |
| Dec-1998 | 81.3 |
| Jan-1999 | 81.8 |
| Feb-1999 | 81.5 |
| Mar-1999 | 81.3 |
| Apr-1999 | 81.3 |
| May-1999 | 81.4 |
| Jun-1999 | 81.4 |
| Jul-1999 | 81.2 |
| Aug-1999 | 81.3 |
| Sep-1999 | 81.3 |
| Oct-1999 | 81.5 |
| Nov-1999 | 81.6 |
| Dec-1999 | 81.5 |
| Jan-2000 | 81.8 |
| Feb-2000 | 81.8 |
| Mar-2000 | 81.7 |
| Apr-2000 | 81.9 |
| May-2000 | 81.5 |
| Jun-2000 | 81.5 |
| Jul-2000 | 81.3 |
| Aug-2000 | 81.1 |
| Sep-2000 | 81.1 |
| Oct-2000 | 81.1 |
| Nov-2000 | 81.3 |
| Dec-2000 | 81.4 |
| Jan-2001 | 81.4 |
| Feb-2001 | 81.3 |
| Mar-2001 | 81.3 |
| Apr-2001 | 80.9 |
| May-2001 | 80.8 |
| Jun-2001 | 80.6 |
| Jul-2001 | 80.5 |
| Aug-2001 | 80.2 |
| Sep-2001 | 80.2 |
| Oct-2001 | 79.9 |
| Nov-2001 | 79.7 |
| Dec-2001 | 79.8 |
| Jan-2002 | 79.6 |
| Feb-2002 | 79.8 |
| Mar-2002 | 79.6 |
| Apr-2002 | 79.5 |
| May-2002 | 79.4 |
| Jun-2002 | 79.2 |
| Jul-2002 | 79.1 |
| Aug-2002 | 79.3 |
| Sep-2002 | 79.4 |
| Oct-2002 | 79.2 |
| Nov-2002 | 78.8 |
| Dec-2002 | 79 |
| Jan-2003 | 78.9 |
| Feb-2003 | 78.9 |
| Mar-2003 | 79 |
| Apr-2003 | 79.1 |
| May-2003 | 78.9 |
| Jun-2003 | 78.9 |
| Jul-2003 | 78.8 |
| Aug-2003 | 78.7 |
| Sep-2003 | 78.6 |
| Oct-2003 | 78.6 |
| Nov-2003 | 78.7 |
| Dec-2003 | 78.8 |
| Jan-2004 | 78.9 |
| Feb-2004 | 78.8 |
| Mar-2004 | 78.7 |
| Apr-2004 | 78.9 |
| May-2004 | 79 |
| Jun-2004 | 79.1 |
| Jul-2004 | 79.2 |
| Aug-2004 | 79 |
| Sep-2004 | 79 |
| Oct-2004 | 79 |
| Nov-2004 | 79.1 |
| Dec-2004 | 78.9 |
| Jan-2005 | 79.2 |
| Feb-2005 | 79.2 |
| Mar-2005 | 79.2 |
| Apr-2005 | 79.4 |
| May-2005 | 79.5 |
| Jun-2005 | 79.2 |
| Jul-2005 | 79.4 |
| Aug-2005 | 79.6 |
| Sep-2005 | 79.4 |
| Oct-2005 | 79.3 |
| Nov-2005 | 79.2 |
| Dec-2005 | 79.3 |
| Jan-2006 | 79.6 |
| Feb-2006 | 79.7 |
| Mar-2006 | 79.8 |
| Apr-2006 | 79.6 |
| May-2006 | 79.7 |
| Jun-2006 | 79.8 |
| Jul-2006 | 79.8 |
| Aug-2006 | 79.8 |
| Sep-2006 | 79.9 |
| Oct-2006 | 80.1 |
| Nov-2006 | 80 |
| Dec-2006 | 80.1 |
| Jan-2007 | 80.3 |
| Feb-2007 | 80.1 |
| Mar-2007 | 80.2 |
| Apr-2007 | 80 |
| May-2007 | 80 |
| Jun-2007 | 79.9 |
| Jul-2007 | 79.8 |
| Aug-2007 | 79.8 |
| Sep-2007 | 79.7 |
| Oct-2007 | 79.6 |
| Nov-2007 | 79.7 |
| Dec-2007 | 79.7 |
| Jan-2008 | 80 |
| Feb-2008 | 79.9 |
| Mar-2008 | 79.8 |
| Apr-2008 | 79.6 |
| May-2008 | 79.5 |
| Jun-2008 | 79.4 |
| Jul-2008 | 79.2 |
| Aug-2008 | 78.8 |
| Sep-2008 | 78.8 |
| Oct-2008 | 78.4 |
| Nov-2008 | 78.1 |
| Dec-2008 | 77.6 |
| Jan-2009 | 77 |
| Feb-2009 | 76.7 |
| Mar-2009 | 76.2 |
| Apr-2009 | 76.2 |
| May-2009 | 75.9 |
| Jun-2009 | 75.9 |
| Jul-2009 | 75.8 |
| Aug-2009 | 75.6 |
| Sep-2009 | 75.1 |
| Oct-2009 | 75 |
| Nov-2009 | 75.2 |
| Dec-2009 | 74.8 |
| Jan-2010 | 75.1 |
| Feb-2010 | 75.1 |
| Mar-2010 | 75.1 |
| Apr-2010 | 75.4 |
| May-2010 | 75.1 |
| Jun-2010 | 75.2 |
| Jul-2010 | 75.1 |
| Aug-2010 | 75 |
| Sep-2010 | 75.1 |
| Oct-2010 | 75 |
| Nov-2010 | 74.8 |
| Dec-2010 | 75 |
| Jan-2011 | 75.2 |
| Feb-2011 | 75.1 |
| Mar-2011 | 75.3 |
| Apr-2011 | 75.1 |
| May-2011 | 75.2 |
| Jun-2011 | 75 |
| Jul-2011 | 75 |
| Aug-2011 | 75.1 |
| Sep-2011 | 74.9 |
| Oct-2011 | 74.9 |
| Nov-2011 | 75.3 |
| Dec-2011 | 75.4 |
| Jan-2012 | 75.5 |
| Feb-2012 | 75.5 |
| Mar-2012 | 75.7 |
| Apr-2012 | 75.7 |
| May-2012 | 75.7 |
| Jun-2012 | 75.6 |
| Jul-2012 | 75.6 |
| Aug-2012 | 75.7 |
| Sep-2012 | 76 |
| Oct-2012 | 76.1 |
| Nov-2012 | 75.8 |
| Dec-2012 | 76 |
| Jan-2013 | 75.6 |
| Feb-2013 | 75.8 |
| Mar-2013 | 75.8 |
| Apr-2013 | 75.8 |
| May-2013 | 76 |
| Jun-2013 | 75.9 |
| Jul-2013 | 76 |
| Aug-2013 | 76 |
| Sep-2013 | 76 |
| Oct-2013 | 75.6 |
| Nov-2013 | 76.1 |
| Dec-2013 | 76.1 |
| Jan-2014 | 76.4 |
| Feb-2014 | 76.4 |
| Mar-2014 | 76.5 |
| Apr-2014 | 76.5 |
| May-2014 | 76.4 |
| Jun-2014 | 76.9 |
| Jul-2014 | 76.7 |
| Aug-2014 | 76.9 |
| Sep-2014 | 76.8 |
| Oct-2014 | 76.9 |
| Nov-2014 | 76.9 |
| Dec-2014 | 77.1 |
| Jan-2015 | 77.1 |
| Feb-2015 | 77.2 |
| Mar-2015 | 77.1 |
| Apr-2015 | 77.2 |
| May-2015 | 77.2 |
| Jun-2015 | 77.4 |
| Jul-2015 | 77.1 |
| Aug-2015 | 77.3 |
| Sep-2015 | 77.2 |
| Oct-2015 | 77.3 |
| Nov-2015 | 77.4 |
| Dec-2015 | 77.4 |
| Jan-2016 | 77.7 |
| Feb-2016 | 77.8 |
| Mar-2016 | 77.9 |
| Apr-2016 | 77.7 |
| May-2016 | 77.8 |
| Jun-2016 | 77.9 |
| Jul-2016 | 77.9 |
| Aug-2016 | 77.9 |
| Sep-2016 | 78 |
| Oct-2016 | 78.2 |
| Nov-2016 | 78.1 |
| Dec-2016 | 78.1 |
| Jan-2017 | 78.2 |
| Feb-2017 | 78.3 |
| Mar-2017 | 78.5 |
| Apr-2017 | 78.6 |
| May-2017 | 78.4 |
| Jun-2017 | 78.6 |
| Jul-2017 | 78.6 |
| Aug-2017 | 78.5 |
| Sep-2017 | 78.9 |
| Oct-2017 | 78.9 |
| Nov-2017 | 79 |
| Dec-2017 | 79.1 |
| Jan-2018 | 79 |
| Feb-2018 | 79.3 |
| Mar-2018 | 79.2 |
| Apr-2018 | 79.2 |
| May-2018 | 79.2 |
| Jun-2018 | 79.3 |
| Jul-2018 | 79.5 |
| Aug-2018 | 79.4 |
| Sep-2018 | 79.3 |
| Oct-2018 | 79.7 |
| Nov-2018 | 79.7 |
| Dec-2018 | 79.7 |
| Jan-2019 | 79.9 |
| Feb-2019 | 79.9 |
| Mar-2019 | 79.8 |
| Apr-2019 | 79.7 |
| May-2019 | 79.7 |
| Jun-2019 | 79.7 |
| Jul-2019 | 79.5 |
| Aug-2019 | 80 |
| Sep-2019 | 80.1 |
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Current Population Survey public data
Unemployment rate, 1948–2019
| date | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|
| Jan-1948 | 3.4 |
| Feb-1948 | 3.8 |
| Mar-1948 | 4 |
| Apr-1948 | 3.9 |
| May-1948 | 3.5 |
| Jun-1948 | 3.6 |
| Jul-1948 | 3.6 |
| Aug-1948 | 3.9 |
| Sep-1948 | 3.8 |
| Oct-1948 | 3.7 |
| Nov-1948 | 3.8 |
| Dec-1948 | 4 |
| Jan-1949 | 4.3 |
| Feb-1949 | 4.7 |
| Mar-1949 | 5 |
| Apr-1949 | 5.3 |
| May-1949 | 6.1 |
| Jun-1949 | 6.2 |
| Jul-1949 | 6.7 |
| Aug-1949 | 6.8 |
| Sep-1949 | 6.6 |
| Oct-1949 | 7.9 |
| Nov-1949 | 6.4 |
| Dec-1949 | 6.6 |
| Jan-1950 | 6.5 |
| Feb-1950 | 6.4 |
| Mar-1950 | 6.3 |
| Apr-1950 | 5.8 |
| May-1950 | 5.5 |
| Jun-1950 | 5.4 |
| Jul-1950 | 5 |
| Aug-1950 | 4.5 |
| Sep-1950 | 4.4 |
| Oct-1950 | 4.2 |
| Nov-1950 | 4.2 |
| Dec-1950 | 4.3 |
| Jan-1951 | 3.7 |
| Feb-1951 | 3.4 |
| Mar-1951 | 3.4 |
| Apr-1951 | 3.1 |
| May-1951 | 3 |
| Jun-1951 | 3.2 |
| Jul-1951 | 3.1 |
| Aug-1951 | 3.1 |
| Sep-1951 | 3.3 |
| Oct-1951 | 3.5 |
| Nov-1951 | 3.5 |
| Dec-1951 | 3.1 |
| Jan-1952 | 3.2 |
| Feb-1952 | 3.1 |
| Mar-1952 | 2.9 |
| Apr-1952 | 2.9 |
| May-1952 | 3 |
| Jun-1952 | 3 |
| Jul-1952 | 3.2 |
| Aug-1952 | 3.4 |
| Sep-1952 | 3.1 |
| Oct-1952 | 3 |
| Nov-1952 | 2.8 |
| Dec-1952 | 2.7 |
| Jan-1953 | 2.9 |
| Feb-1953 | 2.6 |
| Mar-1953 | 2.6 |
| Apr-1953 | 2.7 |
| May-1953 | 2.5 |
| Jun-1953 | 2.5 |
| Jul-1953 | 2.6 |
| Aug-1953 | 2.7 |
| Sep-1953 | 2.9 |
| Oct-1953 | 3.1 |
| Nov-1953 | 3.5 |
| Dec-1953 | 4.5 |
| Jan-1954 | 4.9 |
| Feb-1954 | 5.2 |
| Mar-1954 | 5.7 |
| Apr-1954 | 5.9 |
| May-1954 | 5.9 |
| Jun-1954 | 5.6 |
| Jul-1954 | 5.8 |
| Aug-1954 | 6 |
| Sep-1954 | 6.1 |
| Oct-1954 | 5.7 |
| Nov-1954 | 5.3 |
| Dec-1954 | 5 |
| Jan-1955 | 4.9 |
| Feb-1955 | 4.7 |
| Mar-1955 | 4.6 |
| Apr-1955 | 4.7 |
| May-1955 | 4.3 |
| Jun-1955 | 4.2 |
| Jul-1955 | 4 |
| Aug-1955 | 4.2 |
| Sep-1955 | 4.1 |
| Oct-1955 | 4.3 |
| Nov-1955 | 4.2 |
| Dec-1955 | 4.2 |
| Jan-1956 | 4 |
| Feb-1956 | 3.9 |
| Mar-1956 | 4.2 |
| Apr-1956 | 4 |
| May-1956 | 4.3 |
| Jun-1956 | 4.3 |
| Jul-1956 | 4.4 |
| Aug-1956 | 4.1 |
| Sep-1956 | 3.9 |
| Oct-1956 | 3.9 |
| Nov-1956 | 4.3 |
| Dec-1956 | 4.2 |
| Jan-1957 | 4.2 |
| Feb-1957 | 3.9 |
| Mar-1957 | 3.7 |
| Apr-1957 | 3.9 |
| May-1957 | 4.1 |
| Jun-1957 | 4.3 |
| Jul-1957 | 4.2 |
| Aug-1957 | 4.1 |
| Sep-1957 | 4.4 |
| Oct-1957 | 4.5 |
| Nov-1957 | 5.1 |
| Dec-1957 | 5.2 |
| Jan-1958 | 5.8 |
| Feb-1958 | 6.4 |
| Mar-1958 | 6.7 |
| Apr-1958 | 7.4 |
| May-1958 | 7.4 |
| Jun-1958 | 7.3 |
| Jul-1958 | 7.5 |
| Aug-1958 | 7.4 |
| Sep-1958 | 7.1 |
| Oct-1958 | 6.7 |
| Nov-1958 | 6.2 |
| Dec-1958 | 6.2 |
| Jan-1959 | 6 |
| Feb-1959 | 5.9 |
| Mar-1959 | 5.6 |
| Apr-1959 | 5.2 |
| May-1959 | 5.1 |
| Jun-1959 | 5 |
| Jul-1959 | 5.1 |
| Aug-1959 | 5.2 |
| Sep-1959 | 5.5 |
| Oct-1959 | 5.7 |
| Nov-1959 | 5.8 |
| Dec-1959 | 5.3 |
| Jan-1960 | 5.2 |
| Feb-1960 | 4.8 |
| Mar-1960 | 5.4 |
| Apr-1960 | 5.2 |
| May-1960 | 5.1 |
| Jun-1960 | 5.4 |
| Jul-1960 | 5.5 |
| Aug-1960 | 5.6 |
| Sep-1960 | 5.5 |
| Oct-1960 | 6.1 |
| Nov-1960 | 6.1 |
| Dec-1960 | 6.6 |
| Jan-1961 | 6.6 |
| Feb-1961 | 6.9 |
| Mar-1961 | 6.9 |
| Apr-1961 | 7 |
| May-1961 | 7.1 |
| Jun-1961 | 6.9 |
| Jul-1961 | 7 |
| Aug-1961 | 6.6 |
| Sep-1961 | 6.7 |
| Oct-1961 | 6.5 |
| Nov-1961 | 6.1 |
| Dec-1961 | 6 |
| Jan-1962 | 5.8 |
| Feb-1962 | 5.5 |
| Mar-1962 | 5.6 |
| Apr-1962 | 5.6 |
| May-1962 | 5.5 |
| Jun-1962 | 5.5 |
| Jul-1962 | 5.4 |
| Aug-1962 | 5.7 |
| Sep-1962 | 5.6 |
| Oct-1962 | 5.4 |
| Nov-1962 | 5.7 |
| Dec-1962 | 5.5 |
| Jan-1963 | 5.7 |
| Feb-1963 | 5.9 |
| Mar-1963 | 5.7 |
| Apr-1963 | 5.7 |
| May-1963 | 5.9 |
| Jun-1963 | 5.6 |
| Jul-1963 | 5.6 |
| Aug-1963 | 5.4 |
| Sep-1963 | 5.5 |
| Oct-1963 | 5.5 |
| Nov-1963 | 5.7 |
| Dec-1963 | 5.5 |
| Jan-1964 | 5.6 |
| Feb-1964 | 5.4 |
| Mar-1964 | 5.4 |
| Apr-1964 | 5.3 |
| May-1964 | 5.1 |
| Jun-1964 | 5.2 |
| Jul-1964 | 4.9 |
| Aug-1964 | 5 |
| Sep-1964 | 5.1 |
| Oct-1964 | 5.1 |
| Nov-1964 | 4.8 |
| Dec-1964 | 5 |
| Jan-1965 | 4.9 |
| Feb-1965 | 5.1 |
| Mar-1965 | 4.7 |
| Apr-1965 | 4.8 |
| May-1965 | 4.6 |
| Jun-1965 | 4.6 |
| Jul-1965 | 4.4 |
| Aug-1965 | 4.4 |
| Sep-1965 | 4.3 |
| Oct-1965 | 4.2 |
| Nov-1965 | 4.1 |
| Dec-1965 | 4 |
| Jan-1966 | 4 |
| Feb-1966 | 3.8 |
| Mar-1966 | 3.8 |
| Apr-1966 | 3.8 |
| May-1966 | 3.9 |
| Jun-1966 | 3.8 |
| Jul-1966 | 3.8 |
| Aug-1966 | 3.8 |
| Sep-1966 | 3.7 |
| Oct-1966 | 3.7 |
| Nov-1966 | 3.6 |
| Dec-1966 | 3.8 |
| Jan-1967 | 3.9 |
| Feb-1967 | 3.8 |
| Mar-1967 | 3.8 |
| Apr-1967 | 3.8 |
| May-1967 | 3.8 |
| Jun-1967 | 3.9 |
| Jul-1967 | 3.8 |
| Aug-1967 | 3.8 |
| Sep-1967 | 3.8 |
| Oct-1967 | 4 |
| Nov-1967 | 3.9 |
| Dec-1967 | 3.8 |
| Jan-1968 | 3.7 |
| Feb-1968 | 3.8 |
| Mar-1968 | 3.7 |
| Apr-1968 | 3.5 |
| May-1968 | 3.5 |
| Jun-1968 | 3.7 |
| Jul-1968 | 3.7 |
| Aug-1968 | 3.5 |
| Sep-1968 | 3.4 |
| Oct-1968 | 3.4 |
| Nov-1968 | 3.4 |
| Dec-1968 | 3.4 |
| Jan-1969 | 3.4 |
| Feb-1969 | 3.4 |
| Mar-1969 | 3.4 |
| Apr-1969 | 3.4 |
| May-1969 | 3.4 |
| Jun-1969 | 3.5 |
| Jul-1969 | 3.5 |
| Aug-1969 | 3.5 |
| Sep-1969 | 3.7 |
| Oct-1969 | 3.7 |
| Nov-1969 | 3.5 |
| Dec-1969 | 3.5 |
| Jan-1970 | 3.9 |
| Feb-1970 | 4.2 |
| Mar-1970 | 4.4 |
| Apr-1970 | 4.6 |
| May-1970 | 4.8 |
| Jun-1970 | 4.9 |
| Jul-1970 | 5 |
| Aug-1970 | 5.1 |
| Sep-1970 | 5.4 |
| Oct-1970 | 5.5 |
| Nov-1970 | 5.9 |
| Dec-1970 | 6.1 |
| Jan-1971 | 5.9 |
| Feb-1971 | 5.9 |
| Mar-1971 | 6 |
| Apr-1971 | 5.9 |
| May-1971 | 5.9 |
| Jun-1971 | 5.9 |
| Jul-1971 | 6 |
| Aug-1971 | 6.1 |
| Sep-1971 | 6 |
| Oct-1971 | 5.8 |
| Nov-1971 | 6 |
| Dec-1971 | 6 |
| Jan-1972 | 5.8 |
| Feb-1972 | 5.7 |
| Mar-1972 | 5.8 |
| Apr-1972 | 5.7 |
| May-1972 | 5.7 |
| Jun-1972 | 5.7 |
| Jul-1972 | 5.6 |
| Aug-1972 | 5.6 |
| Sep-1972 | 5.5 |
| Oct-1972 | 5.6 |
| Nov-1972 | 5.3 |
| Dec-1972 | 5.2 |
| Jan-1973 | 4.9 |
| Feb-1973 | 5 |
| Mar-1973 | 4.9 |
| Apr-1973 | 5 |
| May-1973 | 4.9 |
| Jun-1973 | 4.9 |
| Jul-1973 | 4.8 |
| Aug-1973 | 4.8 |
| Sep-1973 | 4.8 |
| Oct-1973 | 4.6 |
| Nov-1973 | 4.8 |
| Dec-1973 | 4.9 |
| Jan-1974 | 5.1 |
| Feb-1974 | 5.2 |
| Mar-1974 | 5.1 |
| Apr-1974 | 5.1 |
| May-1974 | 5.1 |
| Jun-1974 | 5.4 |
| Jul-1974 | 5.5 |
| Aug-1974 | 5.5 |
| Sep-1974 | 5.9 |
| Oct-1974 | 6 |
| Nov-1974 | 6.6 |
| Dec-1974 | 7.2 |
| Jan-1975 | 8.1 |
| Feb-1975 | 8.1 |
| Mar-1975 | 8.6 |
| Apr-1975 | 8.8 |
| May-1975 | 9 |
| Jun-1975 | 8.8 |
| Jul-1975 | 8.6 |
| Aug-1975 | 8.4 |
| Sep-1975 | 8.4 |
| Oct-1975 | 8.4 |
| Nov-1975 | 8.3 |
| Dec-1975 | 8.2 |
| Jan-1976 | 7.9 |
| Feb-1976 | 7.7 |
| Mar-1976 | 7.6 |
| Apr-1976 | 7.7 |
| May-1976 | 7.4 |
| Jun-1976 | 7.6 |
| Jul-1976 | 7.8 |
| Aug-1976 | 7.8 |
| Sep-1976 | 7.6 |
| Oct-1976 | 7.7 |
| Nov-1976 | 7.8 |
| Dec-1976 | 7.8 |
| Jan-1977 | 7.5 |
| Feb-1977 | 7.6 |
| Mar-1977 | 7.4 |
| Apr-1977 | 7.2 |
| May-1977 | 7 |
| Jun-1977 | 7.2 |
| Jul-1977 | 6.9 |
| Aug-1977 | 7 |
| Sep-1977 | 6.8 |
| Oct-1977 | 6.8 |
| Nov-1977 | 6.8 |
| Dec-1977 | 6.4 |
| Jan-1978 | 6.4 |
| Feb-1978 | 6.3 |
| Mar-1978 | 6.3 |
| Apr-1978 | 6.1 |
| May-1978 | 6 |
| Jun-1978 | 5.9 |
| Jul-1978 | 6.2 |
| Aug-1978 | 5.9 |
| Sep-1978 | 6 |
| Oct-1978 | 5.8 |
| Nov-1978 | 5.9 |
| Dec-1978 | 6 |
| Jan-1979 | 5.9 |
| Feb-1979 | 5.9 |
| Mar-1979 | 5.8 |
| Apr-1979 | 5.8 |
| May-1979 | 5.6 |
| Jun-1979 | 5.7 |
| Jul-1979 | 5.7 |
| Aug-1979 | 6 |
| Sep-1979 | 5.9 |
| Oct-1979 | 6 |
| Nov-1979 | 5.9 |
| Dec-1979 | 6 |
| Jan-1980 | 6.3 |
| Feb-1980 | 6.3 |
| Mar-1980 | 6.3 |
| Apr-1980 | 6.9 |
| May-1980 | 7.5 |
| Jun-1980 | 7.6 |
| Jul-1980 | 7.8 |
| Aug-1980 | 7.7 |
| Sep-1980 | 7.5 |
| Oct-1980 | 7.5 |
| Nov-1980 | 7.5 |
| Dec-1980 | 7.2 |
| Jan-1981 | 7.5 |
| Feb-1981 | 7.4 |
| Mar-1981 | 7.4 |
| Apr-1981 | 7.2 |
| May-1981 | 7.5 |
| Jun-1981 | 7.5 |
| Jul-1981 | 7.2 |
| Aug-1981 | 7.4 |
| Sep-1981 | 7.6 |
| Oct-1981 | 7.9 |
| Nov-1981 | 8.3 |
| Dec-1981 | 8.5 |
| Jan-1982 | 8.6 |
| Feb-1982 | 8.9 |
| Mar-1982 | 9 |
| Apr-1982 | 9.3 |
| May-1982 | 9.4 |
| Jun-1982 | 9.6 |
| Jul-1982 | 9.8 |
| Aug-1982 | 9.8 |
| Sep-1982 | 10.1 |
| Oct-1982 | 10.4 |
| Nov-1982 | 10.8 |
| Dec-1982 | 10.8 |
| Jan-1983 | 10.4 |
| Feb-1983 | 10.4 |
| Mar-1983 | 10.3 |
| Apr-1983 | 10.2 |
| May-1983 | 10.1 |
| Jun-1983 | 10.1 |
| Jul-1983 | 9.4 |
| Aug-1983 | 9.5 |
| Sep-1983 | 9.2 |
| Oct-1983 | 8.8 |
| Nov-1983 | 8.5 |
| Dec-1983 | 8.3 |
| Jan-1984 | 8 |
| Feb-1984 | 7.8 |
| Mar-1984 | 7.8 |
| Apr-1984 | 7.7 |
| May-1984 | 7.4 |
| Jun-1984 | 7.2 |
| Jul-1984 | 7.5 |
| Aug-1984 | 7.5 |
| Sep-1984 | 7.3 |
| Oct-1984 | 7.4 |
| Nov-1984 | 7.2 |
| Dec-1984 | 7.3 |
| Jan-1985 | 7.3 |
| Feb-1985 | 7.2 |
| Mar-1985 | 7.2 |
| Apr-1985 | 7.3 |
| May-1985 | 7.2 |
| Jun-1985 | 7.4 |
| Jul-1985 | 7.4 |
| Aug-1985 | 7.1 |
| Sep-1985 | 7.1 |
| Oct-1985 | 7.1 |
| Nov-1985 | 7 |
| Dec-1985 | 7 |
| Jan-1986 | 6.7 |
| Feb-1986 | 7.2 |
| Mar-1986 | 7.2 |
| Apr-1986 | 7.1 |
| May-1986 | 7.2 |
| Jun-1986 | 7.2 |
| Jul-1986 | 7 |
| Aug-1986 | 6.9 |
| Sep-1986 | 7 |
| Oct-1986 | 7 |
| Nov-1986 | 6.9 |
| Dec-1986 | 6.6 |
| Jan-1987 | 6.6 |
| Feb-1987 | 6.6 |
| Mar-1987 | 6.6 |
| Apr-1987 | 6.3 |
| May-1987 | 6.3 |
| Jun-1987 | 6.2 |
| Jul-1987 | 6.1 |
| Aug-1987 | 6 |
| Sep-1987 | 5.9 |
| Oct-1987 | 6 |
| Nov-1987 | 5.8 |
| Dec-1987 | 5.7 |
| Jan-1988 | 5.7 |
| Feb-1988 | 5.7 |
| Mar-1988 | 5.7 |
| Apr-1988 | 5.4 |
| May-1988 | 5.6 |
| Jun-1988 | 5.4 |
| Jul-1988 | 5.4 |
| Aug-1988 | 5.6 |
| Sep-1988 | 5.4 |
| Oct-1988 | 5.4 |
| Nov-1988 | 5.3 |
| Dec-1988 | 5.3 |
| Jan-1989 | 5.4 |
| Feb-1989 | 5.2 |
| Mar-1989 | 5 |
| Apr-1989 | 5.2 |
| May-1989 | 5.2 |
| Jun-1989 | 5.3 |
| Jul-1989 | 5.2 |
| Aug-1989 | 5.2 |
| Sep-1989 | 5.3 |
| Oct-1989 | 5.3 |
| Nov-1989 | 5.4 |
| Dec-1989 | 5.4 |
| Jan-1990 | 5.4 |
| Feb-1990 | 5.3 |
| Mar-1990 | 5.2 |
| Apr-1990 | 5.4 |
| May-1990 | 5.4 |
| Jun-1990 | 5.2 |
| Jul-1990 | 5.5 |
| Aug-1990 | 5.7 |
| Sep-1990 | 5.9 |
| Oct-1990 | 5.9 |
| Nov-1990 | 6.2 |
| Dec-1990 | 6.3 |
| Jan-1991 | 6.4 |
| Feb-1991 | 6.6 |
| Mar-1991 | 6.8 |
| Apr-1991 | 6.7 |
| May-1991 | 6.9 |
| Jun-1991 | 6.9 |
| Jul-1991 | 6.8 |
| Aug-1991 | 6.9 |
| Sep-1991 | 6.9 |
| Oct-1991 | 7 |
| Nov-1991 | 7 |
| Dec-1991 | 7.3 |
| Jan-1992 | 7.3 |
| Feb-1992 | 7.4 |
| Mar-1992 | 7.4 |
| Apr-1992 | 7.4 |
| May-1992 | 7.6 |
| Jun-1992 | 7.8 |
| Jul-1992 | 7.7 |
| Aug-1992 | 7.6 |
| Sep-1992 | 7.6 |
| Oct-1992 | 7.3 |
| Nov-1992 | 7.4 |
| Dec-1992 | 7.4 |
| Jan-1993 | 7.3 |
| Feb-1993 | 7.1 |
| Mar-1993 | 7 |
| Apr-1993 | 7.1 |
| May-1993 | 7.1 |
| Jun-1993 | 7 |
| Jul-1993 | 6.9 |
| Aug-1993 | 6.8 |
| Sep-1993 | 6.7 |
| Oct-1993 | 6.8 |
| Nov-1993 | 6.6 |
| Dec-1993 | 6.5 |
| Jan-1994 | 6.6 |
| Feb-1994 | 6.6 |
| Mar-1994 | 6.5 |
| Apr-1994 | 6.4 |
| May-1994 | 6.1 |
| Jun-1994 | 6.1 |
| Jul-1994 | 6.1 |
| Aug-1994 | 6 |
| Sep-1994 | 5.9 |
| Oct-1994 | 5.8 |
| Nov-1994 | 5.6 |
| Dec-1994 | 5.5 |
| Jan-1995 | 5.6 |
| Feb-1995 | 5.4 |
| Mar-1995 | 5.4 |
| Apr-1995 | 5.8 |
| May-1995 | 5.6 |
| Jun-1995 | 5.6 |
| Jul-1995 | 5.7 |
| Aug-1995 | 5.7 |
| Sep-1995 | 5.6 |
| Oct-1995 | 5.5 |
| Nov-1995 | 5.6 |
| Dec-1995 | 5.6 |
| Jan-1996 | 5.6 |
| Feb-1996 | 5.5 |
| Mar-1996 | 5.5 |
| Apr-1996 | 5.6 |
| May-1996 | 5.6 |
| Jun-1996 | 5.3 |
| Jul-1996 | 5.5 |
| Aug-1996 | 5.1 |
| Sep-1996 | 5.2 |
| Oct-1996 | 5.2 |
| Nov-1996 | 5.4 |
| Dec-1996 | 5.4 |
| Jan-1997 | 5.3 |
| Feb-1997 | 5.2 |
| Mar-1997 | 5.2 |
| Apr-1997 | 5.1 |
| May-1997 | 4.9 |
| Jun-1997 | 5 |
| Jul-1997 | 4.9 |
| Aug-1997 | 4.8 |
| Sep-1997 | 4.9 |
| Oct-1997 | 4.7 |
| Nov-1997 | 4.6 |
| Dec-1997 | 4.7 |
| Jan-1998 | 4.6 |
| Feb-1998 | 4.6 |
| Mar-1998 | 4.7 |
| Apr-1998 | 4.3 |
| May-1998 | 4.4 |
| Jun-1998 | 4.5 |
| Jul-1998 | 4.5 |
| Aug-1998 | 4.5 |
| Sep-1998 | 4.6 |
| Oct-1998 | 4.5 |
| Nov-1998 | 4.4 |
| Dec-1998 | 4.4 |
| Jan-1999 | 4.3 |
| Feb-1999 | 4.4 |
| Mar-1999 | 4.2 |
| Apr-1999 | 4.3 |
| May-1999 | 4.2 |
| Jun-1999 | 4.3 |
| Jul-1999 | 4.3 |
| Aug-1999 | 4.2 |
| Sep-1999 | 4.2 |
| Oct-1999 | 4.1 |
| Nov-1999 | 4.1 |
| Dec-1999 | 4 |
| Jan-2000 | 4 |
| Feb-2000 | 4.1 |
| Mar-2000 | 4 |
| Apr-2000 | 3.8 |
| May-2000 | 4 |
| Jun-2000 | 4 |
| Jul-2000 | 4 |
| Aug-2000 | 4.1 |
| Sep-2000 | 3.9 |
| Oct-2000 | 3.9 |
| Nov-2000 | 3.9 |
| Dec-2000 | 3.9 |
| Jan-2001 | 4.2 |
| Feb-2001 | 4.2 |
| Mar-2001 | 4.3 |
| Apr-2001 | 4.4 |
| May-2001 | 4.3 |
| Jun-2001 | 4.5 |
| Jul-2001 | 4.6 |
| Aug-2001 | 4.9 |
| Sep-2001 | 5 |
| Oct-2001 | 5.3 |
| Nov-2001 | 5.5 |
| Dec-2001 | 5.7 |
| Jan-2002 | 5.7 |
| Feb-2002 | 5.7 |
| Mar-2002 | 5.7 |
| Apr-2002 | 5.9 |
| May-2002 | 5.8 |
| Jun-2002 | 5.8 |
| Jul-2002 | 5.8 |
| Aug-2002 | 5.7 |
| Sep-2002 | 5.7 |
| Oct-2002 | 5.7 |
| Nov-2002 | 5.9 |
| Dec-2002 | 6 |
| Jan-2003 | 5.8 |
| Feb-2003 | 5.9 |
| Mar-2003 | 5.9 |
| Apr-2003 | 6 |
| May-2003 | 6.1 |
| Jun-2003 | 6.3 |
| Jul-2003 | 6.2 |
| Aug-2003 | 6.1 |
| Sep-2003 | 6.1 |
| Oct-2003 | 6 |
| Nov-2003 | 5.8 |
| Dec-2003 | 5.7 |
| Jan-2004 | 5.7 |
| Feb-2004 | 5.6 |
| Mar-2004 | 5.8 |
| Apr-2004 | 5.6 |
| May-2004 | 5.6 |
| Jun-2004 | 5.6 |
| Jul-2004 | 5.5 |
| Aug-2004 | 5.4 |
| Sep-2004 | 5.4 |
| Oct-2004 | 5.5 |
| Nov-2004 | 5.4 |
| Dec-2004 | 5.4 |
| Jan-2005 | 5.3 |
| Feb-2005 | 5.4 |
| Mar-2005 | 5.2 |
| Apr-2005 | 5.2 |
| May-2005 | 5.1 |
| Jun-2005 | 5 |
| Jul-2005 | 5 |
| Aug-2005 | 4.9 |
| Sep-2005 | 5 |
| Oct-2005 | 5 |
| Nov-2005 | 5 |
| Dec-2005 | 4.9 |
| Jan-2006 | 4.7 |
| Feb-2006 | 4.8 |
| Mar-2006 | 4.7 |
| Apr-2006 | 4.7 |
| May-2006 | 4.6 |
| Jun-2006 | 4.6 |
| Jul-2006 | 4.7 |
| Aug-2006 | 4.7 |
| Sep-2006 | 4.5 |
| Oct-2006 | 4.4 |
| Nov-2006 | 4.5 |
| Dec-2006 | 4.4 |
| Jan-2007 | 4.6 |
| Feb-2007 | 4.5 |
| Mar-2007 | 4.4 |
| Apr-2007 | 4.5 |
| May-2007 | 4.4 |
| Jun-2007 | 4.6 |
| Jul-2007 | 4.7 |
| Aug-2007 | 4.6 |
| Sep-2007 | 4.7 |
| Oct-2007 | 4.7 |
| Nov-2007 | 4.7 |
| Dec-2007 | 5 |
| Jan-2008 | 5 |
| Feb-2008 | 4.9 |
| Mar-2008 | 5.1 |
| Apr-2008 | 5 |
| May-2008 | 5.4 |
| Jun-2008 | 5.6 |
| Jul-2008 | 5.8 |
| Aug-2008 | 6.1 |
| Sep-2008 | 6.1 |
| Oct-2008 | 6.5 |
| Nov-2008 | 6.8 |
| Dec-2008 | 7.3 |
| Jan-2009 | 7.8 |
| Feb-2009 | 8.3 |
| Mar-2009 | 8.7 |
| Apr-2009 | 9 |
| May-2009 | 9.4 |
| Jun-2009 | 9.5 |
| Jul-2009 | 9.5 |
| Aug-2009 | 9.6 |
| Sep-2009 | 9.8 |
| Oct-2009 | 10 |
| Nov-2009 | 9.9 |
| Dec-2009 | 9.9 |
| Jan-2010 | 9.8 |
| Feb-2010 | 9.8 |
| Mar-2010 | 9.9 |
| Apr-2010 | 9.9 |
| May-2010 | 9.6 |
| Jun-2010 | 9.4 |
| Jul-2010 | 9.4 |
| Aug-2010 | 9.5 |
| Sep-2010 | 9.5 |
| Oct-2010 | 9.4 |
| Nov-2010 | 9.8 |
| Dec-2010 | 9.3 |
| Jan-2011 | 9.1 |
| Feb-2011 | 9 |
| Mar-2011 | 9 |
| Apr-2011 | 9.1 |
| May-2011 | 9 |
| Jun-2011 | 9.1 |
| Jul-2011 | 9 |
| Aug-2011 | 9 |
| Sep-2011 | 9 |
| Oct-2011 | 8.8 |
| Nov-2011 | 8.6 |
| Dec-2011 | 8.5 |
| Jan-2012 | 8.3 |
| Feb-2012 | 8.3 |
| Mar-2012 | 8.2 |
| Apr-2012 | 8.2 |
| May-2012 | 8.2 |
| Jun-2012 | 8.2 |
| Jul-2012 | 8.2 |
| Aug-2012 | 8.1 |
| Sep-2012 | 7.8 |
| Oct-2012 | 7.8 |
| Nov-2012 | 7.7 |
| Dec-2012 | 7.9 |
| Jan-2013 | 8 |
| Feb-2013 | 7.7 |
| Mar-2013 | 7.5 |
| Apr-2013 | 7.6 |
| May-2013 | 7.5 |
| Jun-2013 | 7.5 |
| Jul-2013 | 7.3 |
| Aug-2013 | 7.2 |
| Sep-2013 | 7.2 |
| Oct-2013 | 7.2 |
| Nov-2013 | 6.9 |
| Dec-2013 | 6.7 |
| Jan-2014 | 6.6 |
| Feb-2014 | 6.7 |
| Mar-2014 | 6.7 |
| Apr-2014 | 6.2 |
| May-2014 | 6.3 |
| Jun-2014 | 6.1 |
| Jul-2014 | 6.2 |
| Aug-2014 | 6.1 |
| Sep-2014 | 5.9 |
| Oct-2014 | 5.7 |
| Nov-2014 | 5.8 |
| Dec-2014 | 5.6 |
| Jan-2015 | 5.7 |
| Feb-2015 | 5.5 |
| Mar-2015 | 5.4 |
| Apr-2015 | 5.4 |
| May-2015 | 5.6 |
| Jun-2015 | 5.3 |
| Jul-2015 | 5.2 |
| Aug-2015 | 5.1 |
| Sep-2015 | 5 |
| Oct-2015 | 5 |
| Nov-2015 | 5.1 |
| Dec-2015 | 5 |
| Jan-2016 | 4.9 |
| Feb-2016 | 4.9 |
| Mar-2016 | 5 |
| Apr-2016 | 5 |
| May-2016 | 4.8 |
| Jun-2016 | 4.9 |
| Jul-2016 | 4.8 |
| Aug-2016 | 4.9 |
| Sep-2016 | 5 |
| Oct-2016 | 4.9 |
| Nov-2016 | 4.7 |
| Dec-2016 | 4.7 |
| Jan-2017 | 4.7 |
| Feb-2017 | 4.7 |
| Mar-2017 | 4.4 |
| Apr-2017 | 4.4 |
| May-2017 | 4.4 |
| Jun-2017 | 4.3 |
| Jul-2017 | 4.3 |
| Aug-2017 | 4.4 |
| Sep-2017 | 4.2 |
| Oct-2017 | 4.1 |
| Nov-2017 | 4.2 |
| Dec-2017 | 4.1 |
| Jan-2018 | 4.1 |
| Feb-2018 | 4.1 |
| Mar-2018 | 4 |
| Apr-2018 | 3.9 |
| May-2018 | 3.8 |
| Jun-2018 | 4 |
| Jul-2018 | 3.9 |
| Aug-2018 | 3.8 |
| Sep-2018 | 3.7 |
| Oct-2018 | 3.8 |
| Nov-2018 | 3.7 |
| Dec-2018 | 3.9 |
| Jan-2019 | 4 |
| Feb-2019 | 3.8 |
| Mar-2019 | 3.8 |
| Apr-2019 | 3.6 |
| May-2019 | 3.6 |
| Jun-2019 | 3.7 |
| Jul-2019 | 3.7 |
| Aug-2019 | 3.7 |
| Sep-2019 | 3.5 |
Note: Shaded areas denote recessions.
Source: EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics' Current Population Survey
Unemployment rate of workers age 16 and older by race and ethnicity, 1995–2019
| date | White | Black | Hispanic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan-1995 | 4.8 | 10.3 | 10.2 |
| Feb-1995 | 4.7 | 10.1 | 9 |
| Mar-1995 | 4.7 | 9.7 | 8.9 |
| Apr-1995 | 5 | 10.7 | 8.9 |
| May-1995 | 5 | 10 | 9.8 |
| Jun-1995 | 4.9 | 10.7 | 9.1 |
| Jul-1995 | 4.9 | 10.9 | 8.8 |
| Aug-1995 | 4.9 | 11.1 | 9.6 |
| Sep-1995 | 4.9 | 11.1 | 9.1 |
| Oct-1995 | 4.9 | 10 | 9.4 |
| Nov-1995 | 5 | 9.7 | 9.5 |
| Dec-1995 | 4.9 | 10.2 | 9.3 |
| Jan-1996 | 4.9 | 10.6 | 9.4 |
| Feb-1996 | 4.8 | 10 | 9.6 |
| Mar-1996 | 4.8 | 10.6 | 9.6 |
| Apr-1996 | 4.8 | 10.7 | 9.6 |
| May-1996 | 4.9 | 10.2 | 9.6 |
| Jun-1996 | 4.6 | 10.4 | 8.8 |
| Jul-1996 | 4.7 | 10.6 | 8.8 |
| Aug-1996 | 4.4 | 10.6 | 8.8 |
| Sep-1996 | 4.5 | 10.6 | 8.2 |
| Oct-1996 | 4.5 | 10.7 | 8 |
| Nov-1996 | 4.6 | 10.6 | 8.5 |
| Dec-1996 | 4.6 | 10.5 | 7.4 |
| Jan-1997 | 4.5 | 10.8 | 8.4 |
| Feb-1997 | 4.5 | 10.7 | 8.2 |
| Mar-1997 | 4.4 | 10.5 | 8.3 |
| Apr-1997 | 4.3 | 10.2 | 8.2 |
| May-1997 | 4.1 | 10.3 | 7.7 |
| Jun-1997 | 4.2 | 10.8 | 7.5 |
| Jul-1997 | 4.2 | 9.5 | 7.9 |
| Aug-1997 | 4.2 | 9.4 | 7.2 |
| Sep-1997 | 4.2 | 9.5 | 7.4 |
| Oct-1997 | 4.1 | 9.5 | 7.8 |
| Nov-1997 | 3.9 | 9.5 | 7 |
| Dec-1997 | 3.9 | 10 | 7.3 |
| Jan-1998 | 4 | 9.4 | 7.1 |
| Feb-1998 | 3.9 | 9.3 | 6.9 |
| Mar-1998 | 4 | 9.2 | 6.9 |
| Apr-1998 | 3.7 | 9.1 | 6.7 |
| May-1998 | 3.8 | 8.9 | 6.9 |
| Jun-1998 | 3.9 | 8.8 | 7.4 |
| Jul-1998 | 3.8 | 9.5 | 7.3 |
| Aug-1998 | 3.9 | 8.8 | 7.4 |
| Sep-1998 | 3.9 | 9.1 | 7.3 |
| Oct-1998 | 3.9 | 8.6 | 7.2 |
| Nov-1998 | 3.8 | 8.6 | 7.1 |
| Dec-1998 | 3.8 | 7.7 | 7.7 |
| Jan-1999 | 3.8 | 7.8 | 6.7 |
| Feb-1999 | 3.8 | 8.2 | 6.7 |
| Mar-1999 | 3.6 | 8 | 5.8 |
| Apr-1999 | 3.8 | 7.8 | 7 |
| May-1999 | 3.7 | 7.4 | 6.7 |
| Jun-1999 | 3.8 | 7.7 | 6.6 |
| Jul-1999 | 3.7 | 8.7 | 6.5 |
| Aug-1999 | 3.7 | 7.7 | 6.5 |
| Sep-1999 | 3.6 | 8.5 | 6.7 |
| Oct-1999 | 3.5 | 8.4 | 6.4 |
| Nov-1999 | 3.5 | 8 | 6 |
| Dec-1999 | 3.5 | 7.8 | 5.8 |
| Jan-2000 | 3.4 | 8.2 | 5.6 |
| Feb-2000 | 3.6 | 8.1 | 5.7 |
| Mar-2000 | 3.5 | 7.4 | 6.1 |
| Apr-2000 | 3.4 | 7.0% | 5.5 |
| May-2000 | 3.5 | 7.7 | 5.8 |
| Jun-2000 | 3.4 | 7.8 | 5.6 |
| Jul-2000 | 3.5 | 7.7 | 5.8 |
| Aug-2000 | 3.6 | 7.9 | 5.9 |
| Sep-2000 | 3.5 | 7.3 | 5.8 |
| Oct-2000 | 3.4% | 7.3 | 5.1 |
| Nov-2000 | 3.5 | 7.3 | 6 |
| Dec-2000 | 3.5 | 7.4 | 5.7 |
| Jan-2001 | 3.6 | 8.2 | 5.8 |
| Feb-2001 | 3.7 | 7.7 | 6.1 |
| Mar-2001 | 3.7 | 8.3 | 6.2 |
| Apr-2001 | 3.9 | 8 | 6.4 |
| May-2001 | 3.8 | 7.9 | 6.3 |
| Jun-2001 | 4 | 8.3 | 6.6 |
| Jul-2001 | 4 | 8 | 6.2 |
| Aug-2001 | 4.3 | 9.1 | 6.5 |
| Sep-2001 | 4.3 | 8.9 | 6.7 |
| Oct-2001 | 4.7 | 9.5 | 7.1 |
| Nov-2001 | 4.9 | 9.8 | 7.3 |
| Dec-2001 | 5.1 | 10.1 | 7.7 |
| Jan-2002 | 5.1 | 10 | 7.8 |
| Feb-2002 | 5 | 9.9 | 7 |
| Mar-2002 | 5 | 10.5 | 7.5 |
| Apr-2002 | 5.2 | 10.7 | 8 |
| May-2002 | 5.1 | 10.2 | 7.1 |
| Jun-2002 | 5.1 | 10.5 | 7.4 |
| Jul-2002 | 5.2 | 9.8 | 7.4 |
| Aug-2002 | 5.1 | 9.8 | 7.5 |
| Sep-2002 | 5.1 | 9.7 | 7.4 |
| Oct-2002 | 5.1 | 9.8 | 7.9 |
| Nov-2002 | 5.1 | 10.7 | 7.8 |
| Dec-2002 | 5.1 | 11.3 | 7.9 |
| Jan-2003 | 5.2 | 10.5 | 7.9 |
| Feb-2003 | 5.1 | 10.7 | 7.7 |
| Mar-2003 | 5.1 | 10.3 | 7.8 |
| Apr-2003 | 5.3 | 10.9 | 7.6 |
| May-2003 | 5.4 | 10.9 | 8 |
| Jun-2003 | 5.5 | 11.5 | 8.3 |
| Jul-2003 | 5.4 | 10.9 | 8 |
| Aug-2003 | 5.4 | 10.9 | 7.7 |
| Sep-2003 | 5.3 | 11.1 | 7.3 |
| Oct-2003 | 5.1 | 11.4 | 7.5 |
| Nov-2003 | 5.2 | 10.2 | 7.4 |
| Dec-2003 | 5 | 10.1 | 6.7 |
| Jan-2004 | 5 | 10.4 | 7.3 |
| Feb-2004 | 4.9 | 9.7 | 7.4 |
| Mar-2004 | 5.1 | 10.3 | 7.6 |
| Apr-2004 | 5 | 9.8 | 7.1 |
| May-2004 | 4.9 | 10.1 | 6.9 |
| Jun-2004 | 5 | 10.2 | 6.6 |
| Jul-2004 | 4.7 | 11 | 6.8 |
| Aug-2004 | 4.7 | 10.5 | 6.8 |
| Sep-2004 | 4.6 | 10.3 | 6.8 |
| Oct-2004 | 4.6 | 10.8 | 6.8 |
| Nov-2004 | 4.6 | 10.7 | 6.7 |
| Dec-2004 | 4.5 | 10.7 | 6.6 |
| Jan-2005 | 4.5 | 10.6 | 6 |
| Feb-2005 | 4.6 | 10.9 | 6.3 |
| Mar-2005 | 4.5 | 10.5 | 5.8 |
| Apr-2005 | 4.4 | 10.3 | 6.4 |
| May-2005 | 4.4 | 10.1 | 6 |
| Jun-2005 | 4.3 | 10.2 | 5.7 |
| Jul-2005 | 4.2 | 9.2 | 5.5 |
| Aug-2005 | 4.2 | 9.7 | 5.8 |
| Sep-2005 | 4.4 | 9.4 | 6.4 |
| Oct-2005 | 4.4 | 9.1 | 6 |
| Nov-2005 | 4.3 | 10.6 | 6.1 |
| Dec-2005 | 4.2 | 9.2 | 6.1 |
| Jan-2006 | 4.1 | 8.9 | 5.5 |
| Feb-2006 | 4.1 | 9.5 | 5.4 |
| Mar-2006 | 4 | 9.5 | 5.2 |
| Apr-2006 | 4.1 | 9.4 | 5.5 |
| May-2006 | 4.1 | 8.7 | 5 |
| Jun-2006 | 4.1 | 8.9 | 5.2 |
| Jul-2006 | 4.1 | 9.5 | 5.2 |
| Aug-2006 | 4.1 | 8.8 | 5.3 |
| Sep-2006 | 3.9 | 9 | 5.5 |
| Oct-2006 | 3.9 | 8.4 | 4.8% |
| Nov-2006 | 4 | 8.5 | 5.1 |
| Dec-2006 | 3.9 | 8.3 | 5 |
| Jan-2007 | 4.2 | 7.9 | 5.5 |
| Feb-2007 | 4.1 | 8 | 5.1 |
| Mar-2007 | 3.8 | 8.4 | 5 |
| Apr-2007 | 4 | 8.3 | 5.6 |
| May-2007 | 3.9 | 8.3 | 5.8 |
| Jun-2007 | 4.1 | 8.5 | 5.5 |
| Jul-2007 | 4.2 | 8.1 | 5.9 |
| Aug-2007 | 4.2 | 7.6 | 5.5 |
| Sep-2007 | 4.2 | 8 | 5.9 |
| Oct-2007 | 4.1 | 8.5 | 5.7 |
| Nov-2007 | 4.2 | 8.5 | 5.9 |
| Dec-2007 | 4.4 | 9 | 6.3 |
| Jan-2008 | 4.4 | 9.1 | 6.3 |
| Feb-2008 | 4.4 | 8.4 | 6.2 |
| Mar-2008 | 4.5 | 9.2 | 6.9 |
| Apr-2008 | 4.4 | 8.6 | 7.1 |
| May-2008 | 4.8 | 9.6 | 6.9 |
| Jun-2008 | 5 | 9.4 | 7.6 |
| Jul-2008 | 5.2 | 10 | 7.5 |
| Aug-2008 | 5.4 | 10.6 | 8 |
| Sep-2008 | 5.4 | 11.3 | 8 |
| Oct-2008 | 5.9 | 11.4 | 8.8 |
| Nov-2008 | 6.2 | 11.5 | 8.7 |
| Dec-2008 | 6.7 | 12.1 | 9.4 |
| Jan-2009 | 7.1 | 12.7 | 10.1 |
| Feb-2009 | 7.6 | 13.7 | 11.3 |
| Mar-2009 | 8 | 13.7 | 11.7 |
| Apr-2009 | 8.1 | 15 | 11.4 |
| May-2009 | 8.5 | 15 | 12.3 |
| Jun-2009 | 8.7 | 14.8 | 12.1 |
| Jul-2009 | 8.7 | 14.8 | 12.5 |
| Aug-2009 | 8.9 | 14.8 | 13% |
| Sep-2009 | 8.9 | 15.3 | 12.6 |
| Oct-2009 | 9.2 | 15.8 | 12.8 |
| Nov-2009 | 9.2% | 15.7 | 12.4 |
| Dec-2009 | 9 | 16.1 | 12.8 |
| Jan-2010 | 8.8 | 16.5 | 12.9 |
| Feb-2010 | 8.9 | 16.1 | 12.7 |
| Mar-2010 | 8.9 | 16.8% | 12.9 |
| Apr-2010 | 9 | 16.6 | 12.5 |
| May-2010 | 8.7 | 15.5 | 12 |
| Jun-2010 | 8.6 | 15.2 | 12.3 |
| Jul-2010 | 8.5 | 15.6 | 12.2 |
| Aug-2010 | 8.6 | 15.9 | 12 |
| Sep-2010 | 8.6 | 16 | 12.3 |
| Oct-2010 | 8.6 | 15.6 | 12.3 |
| Nov-2010 | 8.9 | 16.2 | 12.9 |
| Dec-2010 | 8.5 | 15.5 | 12.9 |
| Jan-2011 | 8.1 | 15.8 | 12.3 |
| Feb-2011 | 8.1 | 15.5 | 11.8 |
| Mar-2011 | 8 | 15.8 | 11.6 |
| Apr-2011 | 8.1 | 16.5 | 11.9 |
| May-2011 | 7.9 | 16.3 | 11.6 |
| Jun-2011 | 8.1 | 16.2 | 11.5 |
| Jul-2011 | 8 | 15.9 | 11.2 |
| Aug-2011 | 7.9 | 16.4 | 11.2 |
| Sep-2011 | 7.9 | 15.9 | 11.2 |
| Oct-2011 | 7.9 | 14.6 | 11.3 |
| Nov-2011 | 7.7 | 15.6 | 11.2 |
| Dec-2011 | 7.5 | 15.4 | 11.1 |
| Jan-2012 | 7.4 | 13.6 | 10.7 |
| Feb-2012 | 7.4 | 14 | 10.9 |
| Mar-2012 | 7.3 | 14 | 10.6 |
| Apr-2012 | 7.4 | 13.3 | 10.3 |
| May-2012 | 7.4 | 13.5 | 10.9 |
| Jun-2012 | 7.3 | 14.5 | 10.9 |
| Jul-2012 | 7.3 | 14.2 | 10.2 |
| Aug-2012 | 7.2 | 13.8 | 10.1 |
| Sep-2012 | 7 | 13.6 | 9.7 |
| Oct-2012 | 6.9 | 14.1 | 10 |
| Nov-2012 | 6.8 | 13.3 | 9.9 |
| Dec-2012 | 6.9 | 14 | 9.6 |
| Jan-2013 | 7.1 | 13.7 | 9.7 |
| Feb-2013 | 6.8 | 13.8 | 9.7 |
| Mar-2013 | 6.7 | 13 | 9.3 |
| Apr-2013 | 6.7 | 13.3 | 9 |
| May-2013 | 6.7 | 13.4 | 9 |
| Jun-2013 | 6.6 | 14.2 | 9.1 |
| Jul-2013 | 6.5 | 12.6 | 9.4 |
| Aug-2013 | 6.4 | 12.8 | 9.2 |
| Sep-2013 | 6.3 | 13 | 8.8 |
| Oct-2013 | 6.3 | 12.8 | 9.1 |
| Nov-2013 | 6.1 | 12.3 | 8.7 |
| Dec-2013 | 5.9 | 11.9 | 8.3 |
| Jan-2014 | 5.7 | 12.1 | 8.3 |
| Feb-2014 | 5.8 | 11.8 | 8.2 |
| Mar-2014 | 5.8 | 12.1 | 7.9 |
| Apr-2014 | 5.3 | 11.6 | 7.2 |
| May-2014 | 5.4 | 11.4 | 7.7 |
| Jun-2014 | 5.3 | 11 | 7.8 |
| Jul-2014 | 5.3 | 11.6 | 7.7 |
| Aug-2014 | 5.3 | 11.4 | 7.4 |
| Sep-2014 | 5.1 | 11 | 6.8 |
| Oct-2014 | 4.9 | 10.6 | 6.8 |
| Nov-2014 | 5 | 10.9 | 6.6 |
| Dec-2014 | 4.7 | 10.6 | 6.4 |
| Jan-2015 | 4.9 | 10.3 | 6.7 |
| Feb-2015 | 4.7 | 10.1 | 6.8 |
| Mar-2015 | 4.8 | 9.9 | 6.8 |
| Apr-2015 | 4.7 | 9.8 | 6.8 |
| May-2015 | 4.8 | 10.3 | 6.8 |
| Jun-2015 | 4.6 | 9.6 | 6.8 |
| Jul-2015 | 4.5 | 9.1 | 6.9 |
| Aug-2015 | 4.4 | 9.4 | 6.6 |
| Sep-2015 | 4.4 | 9.3 | 6.2 |
| Oct-2015 | 4.4 | 8.9 | 6.3 |
| Nov-2015 | 4.4 | 9.4 | 6.4 |
| Dec-2015 | 4.4 | 8.5 | 6.2 |
| Jan-2016 | 4.3 | 8.8 | 5.8 |
| Feb-2016 | 4.2 | 8.6 | 5.4 |
| Mar-2016 | 4.3 | 8.9 | 5.5 |
| Apr-2016 | 4.4 | 8.9 | 6.1 |
| May-2016 | 4.2 | 8.2 | 5.6 |
| Jun-2016 | 4.3 | 8.7 | 5.9 |
| Jul-2016 | 4.2 | 8.4 | 5.5 |
| Aug-2016 | 4.4 | 8 | 5.6 |
| Sep-2016 | 4.4 | 8.4 | 6.4 |
| Oct-2016 | 4.4 | 8.3 | 5.7 |
| Nov-2016 | 4.2 | 8 | 5.7 |
| Dec-2016 | 4.2 | 7.9 | 5.9 |
| Jan-2017 | 4.3 | 7.7 | 5.8 |
| Feb-2017 | 4 | 8 | 5.5 |
| Mar-2017 | 3.9 | 7.9 | 5 |
| Apr-2017 | 3.8 | 7.9 | 5.1 |
| May-2017 | 3.8 | 7.7 | 5.1 |
| Jun-2017 | 3.8 | 7.1 | 4.9 |
| Jul-2017 | 3.7 | 7.4 | 5.2 |
| Aug-2017 | 3.8 | 7.6 | 5.1 |
| Sep-2017 | 3.7 | 7.1 | 5.1 |
| Oct-2017 | 3.5 | 7.3 | 4.9 |
| Nov-2017 | 3.7 | 7.3 | 4.8 |
| Dec-2017 | 3.7 | 6.7 | 4.9 |
| Jan-2018 | 3.5 | 7.7 | 5 |
| Feb-2018 | 3.7 | 6.8 | 4.9 |
| Mar-2018 | 3.6 | 6.8 | 5.1 |
| Apr-2018 | 3.5 | 6.5 | 4.8 |
| May-2018 | 3.5 | 5.9 | 4.9 |
| Jun-2018 | 3.5 | 6.5 | 4.6 |
| Jul-2018 | 3.3 | 6.6 | 4.5 |
| Aug-2018 | 3.4 | 6.3 | 4.7 |
| Sep-2018 | 3.3 | 6 | 4.5 |
| Oct-2018 | 3.3 | 6.2 | 4.4 |
| Nov-2018 | 3.4 | 6 | 4.5 |
| Dec-2018 | 3.4 | 6.6 | 4.4 |
| Jan-2019 | 3.5 | 6.8 | 4.9 |
| Feb-2019 | 3.3 | 7 | 4.3 |
| Mar-2019 | 3.4 | 6.7 | 4.7 |
| Apr-2019 | 3.1 | 6.7 | 4.2 |
| May-2019 | 3.3 | 6.2 | 4.2 |
| Jun-2019 | 3.3 | 6 | 4.3 |
| Jul-2019 | 3.3 | 6 | 4.5 |
| Aug-2019 | 3.4% | 5.5% | 4.2% |
| Sep-2019 | 3.2% | 5.5% | 3.9% |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics' Current Population Survey, public data series
Share of newly employed workers who said that they were not actively searching for work in the previous month
| Share of newly employed workers who said that they were not actively searching for work in the previous month | |
|---|---|
| Apr-1990 | 61.9% |
| May-1990 | 62.6% |
| Jun-1990 | 62.0% |
| Jul-1990 | 62.0% |
| Aug-1990 | 61.6% |
| Sep-1990 | 62.3% |
| Oct-1990 | 61.0% |
| Nov-1990 | 61.2% |
| Dec-1990 | 60.4% |
| Jan-1991 | 59.9% |
| Feb-1991 | 59.0% |
| Mar-1991 | 58.5% |
| Apr-1991 | 57.7% |
| May-1991 | 57.6% |
| Jun-1991 | 57.2% |
| Jul-1991 | 58.0% |
| Aug-1991 | 57.8% |
| Sep-1991 | 57.7% |
| Oct-1991 | 57.3% |
| Nov-1991 | 56.9% |
| Dec-1991 | 57.0% |
| Jan-1992 | 56.8% |
| Feb-1992 | 57.1% |
| Mar-1992 | 57.1% |
| Apr-1992 | 57.2% |
| May-1992 | 57.3% |
| Jun-1992 | 56.6% |
| Jul-1992 | 56.4% |
| Aug-1992 | 56.1% |
| Sep-1992 | 55.9% |
| Oct-1992 | 55.7% |
| Nov-1992 | 55.8% |
| Dec-1992 | 56.1% |
| Jan-1993 | 56.6% |
| Feb-1993 | 57.7% |
| Mar-1993 | 58.3% |
| Apr-1993 | 58.4% |
| May-1993 | 58.2% |
| Jun-1993 | 58.1% |
| Jul-1993 | 57.5% |
| Aug-1993 | 57.5% |
| Sep-1993 | 58.0% |
| Oct-1993 | 58.9% |
| Nov-1993 | 58.5% |
| Dec-1993 | 58.3% |
| Jan-1994 | 58.8% |
| Feb-1994 | 59.2% |
| Mar-1994 | 59.1% |
| Apr-1994 | 58.7% |
| May-1994 | 58.3% |
| Jun-1994 | 58.5% |
| Jul-1994 | 58.6% |
| Aug-1994 | 59.0% |
| Sep-1994 | 59.1% |
| Oct-1994 | 59.8% |
| Nov-1994 | 60.1% |
| Dec-1994 | 60.3% |
| Jan-1995 | 60.4% |
| Feb-1995 | 59.5% |
| Mar-1995 | 59.7% |
| Apr-1995 | 59.7% |
| May-1995 | 59.2% |
| Jun-1995 | 59.5% |
| Jul-1995 | 59.5% |
| Aug-1995 | 60.0% |
| Sep-1995 | 60.2% |
| Oct-1995 | 59.9% |
| Nov-1995 | 60.6% |
| Dec-1995 | 59.9% |
| Jan-1996 | 59.8% |
| Feb-1996 | 60.3% |
| Mar-1996 | 60.7% |
| Apr-1996 | 61.0% |
| May-1996 | 60.7% |
| Jun-1996 | 60.8% |
| Jul-1996 | 61.5% |
| Aug-1996 | 60.8% |
| Sep-1996 | 60.9% |
| Oct-1996 | 60.2% |
| Nov-1996 | 60.6% |
| Dec-1996 | 59.6% |
| Jan-1997 | 59.1% |
| Feb-1997 | 58.9% |
| Mar-1997 | 60.3% |
| Apr-1997 | 61.4% |
| May-1997 | 61.8% |
| Jun-1997 | 61.1% |
| Jul-1997 | 60.4% |
| Aug-1997 | 61.3% |
| Sep-1997 | 61.9% |
| Oct-1997 | 62.5% |
| Nov-1997 | 62.7% |
| Dec-1997 | 62.8% |
| Jan-1998 | 63.3% |
| Feb-1998 | 62.7% |
| Mar-1998 | 62.9% |
| Apr-1998 | 62.4% |
| May-1998 | 63.5% |
| Jun-1998 | 63.2% |
| Jul-1998 | 64.2% |
| Aug-1998 | 64.0% |
| Sep-1998 | 65.2% |
| Oct-1998 | 65.1% |
| Nov-1998 | 65.1% |
| Dec-1998 | 64.9% |
| Jan-1999 | 65.6% |
| Feb-1999 | 65.5% |
| Mar-1999 | 64.2% |
| Apr-1999 | 65.3% |
| May-1999 | 66.1% |
| Jun-1999 | 67.4% |
| Jul-1999 | 66.4% |
| Aug-1999 | 65.7% |
| Sep-1999 | 65.3% |
| Oct-1999 | 65.5% |
| Nov-1999 | 65.3% |
| Dec-1999 | 65.1% |
| Jan-2000 | 64.4% |
| Feb-2000 | 65.4% |
| Mar-2000 | 65.7% |
| Apr-2000 | 65.9% |
| May-2000 | 65.6% |
| Jun-2000 | 65.9% |
| Jul-2000 | 65.4% |
| Aug-2000 | 65.5% |
| Sep-2000 | 65.6% |
| Oct-2000 | 66.5% |
| Nov-2000 | 67.4% |
| Dec-2000 | 68.1% |
| Jan-2001 | 69.0% |
| Feb-2001 | 68.6% |
| Mar-2001 | 67.9% |
| Apr-2001 | 66.9% |
| May-2001 | 65.8% |
| Jun-2001 | 65.3% |
| Jul-2001 | 65.7% |
| Aug-2001 | 66.2% |
| Sep-2001 | 66.6% |
| Oct-2001 | 65.5% |
| Nov-2001 | 64.4% |
| Dec-2001 | 62.9% |
| Jan-2002 | 62.6% |
| Feb-2002 | 62.3% |
| Mar-2002 | 61.7% |
| Apr-2002 | 61.9% |
| May-2002 | 62.8% |
| Jun-2002 | 64.4% |
| Jul-2002 | 64.5% |
| Aug-2002 | 64.0% |
| Sep-2002 | 63.1% |
| Oct-2002 | 63.1% |
| Nov-2002 | 63.7% |
| Dec-2002 | 64.1% |
| Jan-2003 | 64.2% |
| Feb-2003 | 64.2% |
| Mar-2003 | 64.5% |
| Apr-2003 | 64.3% |
| May-2003 | 63.7% |
| Jun-2003 | 63.5% |
| Jul-2003 | 63.1% |
| Aug-2003 | 63.2% |
| Sep-2003 | 63.4% |
| Oct-2003 | 64.3% |
| Nov-2003 | 64.7% |
| Dec-2003 | 63.7% |
| Jan-2004 | 63.6% |
| Feb-2004 | 63.4% |
| Mar-2004 | 64.9% |
| Apr-2004 | 64.3% |
| May-2004 | 64.3% |
| Jun-2004 | 63.7% |
| Jul-2004 | 64.2% |
| Aug-2004 | 64.5% |
| Sep-2004 | 64.1% |
| Oct-2004 | 64.2% |
| Nov-2004 | 64.0% |
| Dec-2004 | 64.4% |
| Jan-2005 | 64.6% |
| Feb-2005 | 64.8% |
| Mar-2005 | 64.9% |
| Apr-2005 | 65.1% |
| May-2005 | 65.8% |
| Jun-2005 | 66.1% |
| Jul-2005 | 66.6% |
| Aug-2005 | 65.9% |
| Sep-2005 | 66.5% |
| Oct-2005 | 66.2% |
| Nov-2005 | 66.0% |
| Dec-2005 | 65.9% |
| Jan-2006 | 65.8% |
| Feb-2006 | 67.3% |
| Mar-2006 | 67.3% |
| Apr-2006 | 67.6% |
| May-2006 | 67.3% |
| Jun-2006 | 67.2% |
| Jul-2006 | 66.7% |
| Aug-2006 | 66.4% |
| Sep-2006 | 65.9% |
| Oct-2006 | 66.9% |
| Nov-2006 | 67.6% |
| Dec-2006 | 68.3% |
| Jan-2007 | 68.0% |
| Feb-2007 | 67.0% |
| Mar-2007 | 66.5% |
| Apr-2007 | 65.8% |
| May-2007 | 66.2% |
| Jun-2007 | 67.6% |
| Jul-2007 | 67.7% |
| Aug-2007 | 67.6% |
| Sep-2007 | 66.9% |
| Oct-2007 | 67.0% |
| Nov-2007 | 67.5% |
| Dec-2007 | 66.6% |
| Jan-2008 | 66.4% |
| Feb-2008 | 65.4% |
| Mar-2008 | 65.6% |
| Apr-2008 | 64.7% |
| May-2008 | 65.1% |
| Jun-2008 | 64.9% |
| Jul-2008 | 65.3% |
| Aug-2008 | 64.2% |
| Sep-2008 | 62.9% |
| Oct-2008 | 62.1% |
| Nov-2008 | 61.9% |
| Dec-2008 | 62.3% |
| Jan-2009 | 62.2% |
| Feb-2009 | 61.6% |
| Mar-2009 | 60.8% |
| Apr-2009 | 59.8% |
| May-2009 | 59.6% |
| Jun-2009 | 58.3% |
| Jul-2009 | 57.5% |
| Aug-2009 | 57.0% |
| Sep-2009 | 56.8% |
| Oct-2009 | 57.6% |
| Nov-2009 | 56.7% |
| Dec-2009 | 57.7% |
| Jan-2010 | 57.9% |
| Feb-2010 | 58.8% |
| Mar-2010 | 58.7% |
| Apr-2010 | 57.4% |
| May-2010 | 56.4% |
| Jun-2010 | 56.6% |
| Jul-2010 | 57.2% |
| Aug-2010 | 58.4% |
| Sep-2010 | 58.8% |
| Oct-2010 | 58.9% |
| Nov-2010 | 58.9% |
| Dec-2010 | 58.4% |
| Jan-2011 | 59.1% |
| Feb-2011 | 59.5% |
| Mar-2011 | 60.1% |
| Apr-2011 | 60.4% |
| May-2011 | 60.2% |
| Jun-2011 | 59.7% |
| Jul-2011 | 59.8% |
| Aug-2011 | 59.6% |
| Sep-2011 | 60.6% |
| Oct-2011 | 59.8% |
| Nov-2011 | 59.8% |
| Dec-2011 | 59.1% |
| Jan-2012 | 59.2% |
| Feb-2012 | 59.1% |
| Mar-2012 | 59.4% |
| Apr-2012 | 60.3% |
| May-2012 | 60.9% |
| Jun-2012 | 61.6% |
| Jul-2012 | 61.8% |
| Aug-2012 | 62.3% |
| Sep-2012 | 62.3% |
| Oct-2012 | 62.0% |
| Nov-2012 | 61.8% |
| Dec-2012 | 62.5% |
| Jan-2013 | 62.2% |
| Feb-2013 | 61.5% |
| Mar-2013 | 61.6% |
| Apr-2013 | 63.1% |
| May-2013 | 63.5% |
| Jun-2013 | 63.2% |
| Jul-2013 | 62.3% |
| Aug-2013 | 62.9% |
| Sep-2013 | 63.5% |
| Oct-2013 | 64.3% |
| Nov-2013 | 64.1% |
| Dec-2013 | 63.6% |
| Jan-2014 | 63.9% |
| Feb-2014 | 63.6% |
| Mar-2014 | 63.9% |
| Apr-2014 | 62.8% |
| May-2014 | 64.2% |
| Jun-2014 | 64.5% |
| Jul-2014 | 66.0% |
| Aug-2014 | 65.5% |
| Sep-2014 | 65.3% |
| Oct-2014 | 64.9% |
| Nov-2014 | 65.3% |
| Dec-2014 | 65.8% |
| Jan-2015 | 67.2% |
| Feb-2015 | 67.8% |
| Mar-2015 | 68.4% |
| Apr-2015 | 68.0% |
| May-2015 | 68.5% |
| Jun-2015 | 68.2% |
| Jul-2015 | 69.0% |
| Aug-2015 | 68.6% |
| Sep-2015 | 68.8% |
| Oct-2015 | 68.6% |
| Nov-2015 | 68.6% |
| Dec-2015 | 69.0% |
| Jan-2016 | 68.6% |
| Feb-2016 | 69.8% |
| Mar-2016 | 70.5% |
| Apr-2016 | 70.7% |
| May-2016 | 69.7% |
| Jun-2016 | 69.1% |
| Jul-2016 | 68.9% |
| Aug-2016 | 69.4% |
| Sep-2016 | 69.2% |
| Oct-2016 | 68.2% |
| Nov-2016 | 67.7% |
| Dec-2016 | 68.8% |
| Jan-2017 | 69.4% |
| Feb-2017 | 69.1% |
| Mar-2017 | 68.8% |
| Apr-2017 | 69.4% |
| May-2017 | 70.2% |
| Jun-2017 | 70.7% |
| Jul-2017 | 70.2% |
| Aug-2017 | 70.7% |
| Sep-2017 | 70.4% |
| Oct-2017 | 70.7% |
| Nov-2017 | 70.8% |
| Dec-2017 | 70.7% |
| Jan-2018 | 71.2% |
| Feb-2018 | 71.0% |
| Mar-2018 | 70.6% |
| Apr-2018 | 70.7% |
| May-2018 | 71.2% |
| Jun-2018 | 72.6% |
| Jul-2018 | 73.1% |
| Aug-2018 | 73.0% |
| Sep-2018 | 72.9% |
| Oct-2018 | 73.0% |
| Nov-2018 | 73.3% |
| Dec-2018 | 73.1% |
| Jan-2019 | 72.5% |
| Feb-2019 | 72.4% |
| Mar-2019 | 71.6% |
| Apr-2019 | 71.7% |
| May-2019 | 72.7% |
| Jun-2019 | 73.6% |
| Jul-2019 | 74.2% |
| Aug-2019 | 73.9% |
| Sep-2019 | 73.7% |
Note: Because of volatility in these data, the line reflects three month moving averages
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Labor Force Flows: Unemployed to Employed (16 Years and Over) [LNS17100000], and Not in Labor Force to Employed (16 years and over) [LNS17200000], retrieved from FRED (Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis).
