Unemployment Rate
What it means
Unemployment Rate is an important economic calendar event for the United States. It describes labour-market conditions, including job creation, unemployment, pay pressure or the balance between vacancies and available workers. The release or communication is produced by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Its methodology, reference period and release schedule are defined by the publisher.
A stronger labour-market result than forecast often supports expectations for growth and tighter monetary policy, which can help the currency and lift yields. For unemployment, jobless claims and similar measures, a lower result is usually the stronger outcome. Wage data matter because persistent pay growth can feed services inflation.
How to read the release: compare Actual with Forecast first, then check Previous and any revision to it. Review the three- and six-month trend, seasonal adjustment, breadth across components and whether the result was driven by a volatile category. A single surprise is more credible when related indicators point in the same direction.
The market response is not automatic: positioning, revisions, risk sentiment and simultaneous releases can outweigh the headline surprise. Use the event together with the broader data trend and official material from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; it is context for analysis, not a standalone trading signal.
Latest release
- Actual
- 4.1%
- Forecast
- 4.1%
- Previous
- 4.1%
Upcoming release
- Actual
- —
- Forecast
- —
- Previous
- —
Actual vs Forecast
Numeric release values from the past six months.
Release history
Past six months, newest first.
| Date | Time | Actual | Forecast | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:30 | 4.1% | 4.1% | 4.1% | |
| 12:30 | 4.1% | 4.2% | 4.2% | |
| 12:30 | 4.2% | 4.3% | 4.3% | |
| 12:30 | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.3% | |
| 12:30 | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.3% | |
| 12:30 | 4.3% | 4.4% | 4.4% |