Labor Marketmonthly
Underemployment Rate (U6)
Broadest unemployment measure including discouraged and part-time workers.
The Underemployment Rate (U6) is currently 8.20%, last updated .
8.20%
1W +2.50%1M +2.50%3M +2.50%
Updated 23m agoStatistical forecast 2026
Model-based central estimate, 68% and 95% confidence bands for Underemployment Rate (U6), blended across current macro regimes.
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The labor market is the backbone of the consumer economy. Rising jobless claims and a climbing unemployment rate are classic late-cycle signals that precede recessions and rate cuts. The Fed has a dual mandate, maximum employment and stable prices, so labor data directly influences the path of monetary policy.
Updated just now
Recent Data
Download CSV| Date | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 2026 | 8.20% | +2.50% |
| Mar 1, 2026 | 8.00% | +1.27% |
| Feb 1, 2026 | 7.90% | -2.47% |
| Jan 1, 2026 | 8.10% | -3.57% |
| Dec 1, 2025 | 8.40% | -3.45% |
| Nov 1, 2025 | 8.70% | +7.41% |
| Sep 1, 2025 | 8.10% | +0.00% |
| Aug 1, 2025 | 8.10% | +2.53% |
| Jul 1, 2025 | 7.90% | +2.60% |
| Jun 1, 2025 | 7.70% | -1.28% |
| May 1, 2025 | 7.80% | +0.00% |
| Apr 1, 2025 | 7.80% | -1.27% |
| Mar 1, 2025 | 7.90% | -1.25% |
| Feb 1, 2025 | 8.00% | +6.67% |
| Jan 1, 2025 | 7.50% | -1.32% |
| Dec 1, 2024 | 7.60% | -1.30% |
| Nov 1, 2024 | 7.70% | +0.00% |
| Oct 1, 2024 | 7.70% | +0.00% |
| Sep 1, 2024 | 7.70% | -1.28% |
| Aug 1, 2024 | 7.80% | +0.00% |
| Jul 1, 2024 | 7.80% | +5.41% |
| Jun 1, 2024 | 7.40% | +0.00% |
| May 1, 2024 | 7.40% | +0.00% |
| Apr 1, 2024 | 7.40% | — |
Related in Labor Market
Unemployment Rate (U3)
Headline unemployment rate, percentage of the labor force without jobs.
Initial Jobless Claims
Weekly first-time unemployment insurance claims, the highest-frequency labor indicator.
Initial Claims 4-Week MA
Smoothed jobless claims average, removes weekly volatility.
Continued Claims
Ongoing unemployment insurance claims, measures difficulty of finding new work.
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Forecast 2026
Underemployment Rate (U6) Outlook
Scenario-weighted forecast using regime implied approach.
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Frequently Asked Questions
▶What is Underemployment Rate (U6)?
Broadest unemployment measure including discouraged and part-time workers.
▶How does Underemployment Rate (U6) relate to labor market?
Underemployment Rate (U6) is part of the Labor Market category. The labor market is the backbone of the consumer economy. Rising jobless claims and a climbing unemployment rate are classic late-cycle signals that precede recessions and rate cuts. The Fed has a dual mandate, maximum employment and stable prices, so labor data directly influences the path of monetary policy.
▶How often is Underemployment Rate (U6) updated?
Underemployment Rate (U6) is updated once per month when the releasing agency publishes new data. Each metric page on Convex shows the exact time of the last data update and provides historical data going back up to five years.
▶Where does Convex source Underemployment Rate (U6) data?
Convex sources Underemployment Rate (U6) data from the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) API, maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Data is fetched automatically and displayed alongside interactive charts, AI analysis, and historical context.
▶What can I do on the Underemployment Rate (U6) chart page?
The Underemployment Rate (U6) page includes an interactive chart with selectable time ranges (1 month to 5 years), percentage changes over multiple timeframes, a table of recent readings, AI-generated analysis, and links to related metrics and comparisons.
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Data sourced from FRED, CoinGecko, CBOE, CFTC, and EIA. Updated monthly. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.