Unemployment Demographics
In addition to the headline unemployment rate, the BLS also breaks out the unemployment rate for numerous demographic groups. The unemployment rate by education level, race/ethnicity, age and gender are reported below.
Unemployment Rate by Education Level
In 1992, the BLS began tracking unemployment rates by education level. Highlighted below are the unemployment rates for the following four groups classified by education attained: 1. Less than a high school diploma 2. A high school diploma but no college 3. Some college or an Associate degree 4. Bachelor's degree or higher. All groups consist of individuals 25 years old or higher.
| Education Level Achieved | December 2023 | Month/Month (Points) |
Year/Year (Points) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than High School |
6.0% | -0.3 | +1.0 |
| High School Grad No College |
4.2% | +0.1 | +0.6 |
| Some College or Associate Degree |
3.1% | +0.3 | +0.1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher |
2.1% | 0.0 | +0.2 |
Unemployment Rate: Some HS, HS Grad, Some College, Bachelor's or Higher
Note: Recessions shown in gray
Unemployment Rate by Race/Ethnicity
The unemployment rate by race time series goes back to 1954. With the exception of the Asian time series, all of the rates shown here are seasonally adjusted. Hispanics may be of any race.
| Race/Ethnicity | December 2023 | Month/Month (Points) |
Year/Year (Points) |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 3.5% | +0.2 | +0.5 |
| Black or African American |
5.2% | -0.6 | -0.5 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 5.0% | +0.4 | +0.8 |
| Asian | 2.9% | -0.6 | +0.7 |
Unemployment Rate: White, Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian
Unemployment Rate by Age
The unemployment age time series begins in 1948. Recent history has shown greater employment stability as age increases.
| Age Range | December 2023 | Month/Month (Points) |
Year/Year (Points) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 4.2% | +0.3 | +0.4 |
| 35-44 | 2.9% | 0.0 | +0.5 |
| 45-54 | 2.6% | 0.0 | +0.3 |
| 55+ | 2.8% | -0.1 | +0.1 |
Unemployment Rate: 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55+
Unemployment Rate by Gender
The unemployment rate time series for men and women also begins in 1948. Traditionally, women have had greater employment stability than men during economic downturns.
| Sex | December 2023 | Month/Month (Points) |
Year/Year (Points) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 3.9% | -0.1 | +0.5 |
| Female | 3.6% | +0.2 | +0.1 |
Unemployment Rate: Male, Female
Department of Numbers
The Department of Numbers contextualizes public data so that individuals can form independent opinions on everyday social and economic matters.
