Percentage of the labor force actively seeking but unable to find work.
Excludes "discouraged workers" who've stopped looking. Broader measures (U-6 in US) include underemployed and marginally attached. "Natural" unemployment rate (NAIRU) is the level at which inflation neither rises nor falls — often estimated 4-5% in developed economies.
Percentage of the labor force actively seeking but unable to find work. Excludes "discouraged workers" who've stopped looking. Broader measures (U-6 in US) include underemployed and marginally attached. "Natural" unemployment rate (NAIRU) is the level at which inflation neither rises nor falls — often estimated 4-5% in developed economies.
In economics, Unemployment Rate is one of the building blocks investors use to compare opportunities and assess risk. Understanding it helps you read research notes, earnings reports, and market commentary without getting lost in jargon.
Excludes "discouraged workers" who've stopped looking. Broader measures (U-6 in US) include underemployed and marginally attached.
The Quick Take * US economy projected to add only 59,000 jobs in March — sharply below trend, signalling labour market cooling * Unemployment rate expected to hold steady at 4.4%, per CNBC Economy consensus forecast * No institutional or analyst commentary cited beyond headline consensus estimate * March jobs report due Friday; a miss vs already-low expectations could accelerate Fed rate-cut pricing * Weak US payrolls typically strengthen Asia/EM currencies vs USD and lift rate-cut hopes g
Apr 28, 2026
The Quick Take * December NFP came in at 50K, below the 55K consensus; private payrolls added just 37K * Oct & Nov payrolls revised down a combined 76K — economy added only 93K jobs in 8 months since April * Goldman Sachs and BofA both forecast 70K jobs; Goldman also predicted unemployment at 4.5%, actual beat at 4.4% * Prime-age (25-54) employment-population ratio ticked up to 80.7% from 80.6%, but both metrics below recent peaks * Weak US labor data may ease Fed rate-cut resistance, pote
Apr 28, 2026
The US economy added 256,000 jobs in April, well above the 185,000 consensus, while unemployment held at 3.9%. Average hourly earnings rose 0.3% month-over-month and 3.9% year-over-year. The strong da
Apr 22, 2026
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