Department of Numbers

Kentucky Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Kentucky fell 0.1 percentage points in April 2023 to 3.7%. The state unemployment rate was 0.3 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Kentucky peaked in April 2020 at 16.7% and is now 13.0 percentage points lower. You can also see Kentucky unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate April 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
National 3.4% -0.1 -0.2
Kentucky 3.7% -0.1 -0.1

Note: All comparisons are made with April data as May state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Kentucky, National

Kentucky monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to April 2023

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Kentucky Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Kentucky peaked in April 2020 at 343,028. There are now 266,729 fewer people unemployed in the state. Kentucky job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons April 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
Kentucky 76,299 -809 -2,269

Number of Unemployed Persons

Monthly chart of total unemployed in Kentucky from 1990 to April 2023

Kentucky Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate
Kentucky
Unemployment Rate
Kentucky
Unemployed
May 2023 3.7%
April 2023 3.4% 3.7% 76,299
March 2023 3.5% 3.8% 77,108
February 2023 3.6% 3.9% 79,762
January 2023 3.4% 3.9% 79,019
December 2022 3.5% 3.9% 80,066
November 2022 3.6% 3.9% 80,253
October 2022 3.7% 4.0% 80,787
September 2022 3.5% 4.0% 81,331
August 2022 3.7% 4.0% 81,464
July 2022 3.5% 3.9% 80,944
June 2022 3.6% 3.9% 80,000