United States Unemployment Rate
Aug 2026 · Monthly
The US unemployment rate held at 4.1% in August, unchanged from July. The rate is down from 4.3% a year earlier. Non-farm payrolls rose by 159,075 in August, and the labor force participation rate was 61.6%, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
The unemployment rate stood at 4.1% in August 2026, unchanged from the previous month. The rate remains well below the all-time high of 14.8% recorded in April 2020, and is above the series low of 2.5% from June 1953. The series dates back to January 1948.
| Actual | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Dates | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1% | 4.1% | 14.8%Apr 2020 | 2.5%Jun 1953 | 1948 – 2026 | Monthly |
Related indicators
| Indicator | Last | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Last updated | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 341.8M | 340.0M | 341.8M | 180.7M | Dec 2025 | Annual |
| GDP Growth Rate | 2.1% | 2.7% | 12.4% | -7.4% | Jun 2026 | Quarterly |
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About this series
Unemployment Rate in United States averaged 5.7% from 1948 until 2026, reaching an all-time high of 14.8% in Apr 2020 and a record low of 2.5% in Jun 1953. The series is reported monthly with history from 1948.
The unemployment rate measures the percentage of the labor force that is jobless and actively seeking employment. It is reported monthly as a percentage. The series for the United States begins in January 1948.
Source & methodology
We use primary economic sources for every country. See our methodology page for how we source and verify this data.
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