U.S. Unemployment Rate 1991-2023
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.
- U.S. unemployment rate for 2021 was 5.46%, a 2.59% decline from 2020.
- U.S. unemployment rate for 2020 was 8.05%, a 4.38% increase from 2019.
- U.S. unemployment rate for 2019 was 3.67%, a 0.23% decline from 2018.
- U.S. unemployment rate for 2018 was 3.90%, a 0.46% decline from 2017.
| Similar Country Ranking | |
|---|---|
| Country Name | Unemployment Rate (%) |
| New Caledonia | 16.57% |
| Greece | 14.80% |
| Spain | 14.73% |
| French Polynesia | 14.39% |
| Virgin Islands (U.S.) | 13.27% |
| Bahamas | 13.24% |
| Panama | 12.09% |
| Argentina | 10.90% |
| Uruguay | 10.45% |
| Barbados | 10.41% |
| Italy | 9.83% |
| Chile | 9.13% |
| Croatia | 8.68% |
| Sweden | 8.66% |
| Puerto Rico | 8.27% |
| France | 8.06% |
| Lithuania | 7.90% |
| Brunei | 7.65% |
| Latvia | 7.60% |
| Finland | 7.53% |
| Canada | 7.51% |
| Channel Islands | 7.37% |
| Saudi Arabia | 7.36% |
| Guam | 6.98% |
| Slovak Republic | 6.74% |
| Portugal | 6.65% |
| Ireland | 6.63% |
| Belgium | 6.42% |
| Estonia | 6.33% |
| Austria | 6.30% |
| Cyprus | 6.13% |
| United States | 5.46% |
| Iceland | 5.40% |
| Switzerland | 5.32% |
| Hong Kong | 5.32% |
| Luxembourg | 5.23% |
| Australia | 5.11% |
| Israel | 5.05% |
| Norway | 4.99% |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 4.81% |
| Denmark | 4.80% |
| United Kingdom | 4.53% |
| Slovenia | 4.42% |
| New Zealand | 4.12% |
| Hungary | 4.12% |
| Netherlands | 4.01% |
| Kuwait | 3.71% |
| Singapore | 3.62% |
| Germany | 3.54% |
| South Korea | 3.53% |
| Malta | 3.50% |
| Poland | 3.37% |
| UAE | 3.36% |
| Oman | 3.12% |
| Macao | 3.01% |
| Czech Republic | 2.89% |
| Japan | 2.80% |
| Bahrain | 1.87% |
| Qatar | 0.26% |
| U.S. Unemployment Rate - Historical Data | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Unemployment Rate (%) | Annual Change |
| 2021 | 5.46% | -2.59% |
| 2020 | 8.05% | 4.38% |
| 2019 | 3.67% | -0.23% |
| 2018 | 3.90% | -0.46% |
| 2017 | 4.36% | -0.51% |
| 2016 | 4.87% | -0.41% |
| 2015 | 5.28% | -0.89% |
| 2014 | 6.17% | -1.20% |
| 2013 | 7.37% | -0.70% |
| 2012 | 8.07% | -0.88% |
| 2011 | 8.95% | -0.68% |
| 2010 | 9.63% | 0.38% |
| 2009 | 9.25% | 3.47% |
| 2008 | 5.78% | 1.16% |
| 2007 | 4.62% | 0.00% |
| 2006 | 4.62% | -0.46% |
| 2005 | 5.08% | -0.45% |
| 2004 | 5.53% | -0.46% |
| 2003 | 5.99% | 0.21% |
| 2002 | 5.78% | 1.05% |
| 2001 | 4.73% | 0.74% |
| 2000 | 3.99% | -0.23% |
| 1999 | 4.22% | -0.29% |
| 1998 | 4.51% | -0.49% |
| 1997 | 5.00% | -0.45% |
| 1996 | 5.45% | -0.20% |
| 1995 | 5.65% | -0.47% |
| 1994 | 6.12% | -0.78% |
| 1993 | 6.90% | -0.60% |
| 1992 | 7.50% | 0.70% |
| 1991 | 6.80% | 0.70% |
