US Initial Jobless Claims
US initial jobless claims and continued claims measure weekly labour market trends.
| Indicator | 19-09-2026 | 12-09-2026 | 05-09-2026 | 29-08-2026 | 22-08-2026 | 15-08-2026 | 08-08-2026 | 01-08-2026 | 25-07-2026 | 18-07-2026 | 11-07-2026 | 04-07-2026 | 27-06-2026 | 20-06-2026 | 13-06-2026 | 06-06-2026 | 30-05-2026 | 23-05-2026 | 16-05-2026 | 09-05-2026 | 02-05-2026 | 25-04-2026 | 18-04-2026 | 11-04-2026 | 04-04-2026 | 28-03-2026 | 21-03-2026 | 14-03-2026 | 07-03-2026 | 28-02-2026 | 21-02-2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Jobless Claims | 197,000 | 198,000 | 207,000 | 207,000 | 204,000 | 207,000 | 212,000 | 200,000 | 198,000 | 189,000 | 209,000 | 217,000 | 217,000 | 216,000 | 227,000 | 230,000 | 225,000 | 212,000 | 210,000 | 212,000 | 199,000 | 190,000 | 215,000 | 208,000 | 218,000 | 203,000 | 211,000 | 205,000 | 213,000 | 214,000 | 211,000 | |
| Continued Claims | 1,719,000 | 1,717,000 | 1,765,000 | 1,775,000 | 1,771,000 | 1,796,000 | 1,781,000 | 1,799,000 | 1,777,000 | 1,789,000 | 1,798,000 | 1,821,000 | 1,806,000 | 1,812,000 | 1,800,000 | 1,786,000 | 1,771,000 | 1,785,000 | 1,771,000 | 1,776,000 | 1,758,000 | 1,776,000 | 1,808,000 | 1,809,000 | 1,787,000 | 1,832,000 | 1,816,000 | 1,851,000 | 1,847,000 | 1,871,000 | ||
| Initial Claims - 4-Week Average | 202,250 | 204,000 | 206,250 | 207,500 | 205,750 | 204,250 | 199,750 | 199,000 | 203,250 | 208,000 | 214,750 | 219,250 | 222,500 | 224,500 | 223,500 | 219,250 | 214,750 | 208,250 | 202,750 | 204,000 | 203,000 | 207,750 | 211,000 | 210,000 | 209,250 | 208,000 | 210,750 | 210,750 | 211,500 | 215,750 | 219,750 | |
| Continued Claims - 4-Week Average | 1,744,000 | 1,757,000 | 1,776,750 | 1,780,750 | 1,786,750 | 1,788,250 | 1,786,500 | 1,790,750 | 1,796,250 | 1,803,500 | 1,809,250 | 1,809,750 | 1,801,000 | 1,792,250 | 1,785,500 | 1,778,250 | 1,775,750 | 1,772,500 | 1,770,250 | 1,779,500 | 1,787,750 | 1,795,000 | 1,809,000 | 1,811,000 | 1,821,500 | 1,836,500 | 1,846,250 | 1,849,000 | 1,852,500 | 1,855,500 | ||
| Insured Unemployment Rate | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
Latest reading
The latest reading is 197,000 Persons, for Sep 19, 2026. That is −0.5% from Sep 12, 2026 and −10.0% from a year earlier. The series on this page is weekly and runs from Jan 1, 2000 to Sep 19, 2026. Source: FRED (Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis).
- Latest
- 197,000 Persons
- Sep 19, 2026
- vs previous period
- −0.5%
- Sep 12, 2026
- vs a year earlier
- −10.0%
Look up any date
Pick a date between Jan 1, 2000 and Sep 19, 2026 to see every series in this table on that day. If there is no reading that day (weekend, holiday, or a weekly release), the last reading before it is shown.
About this data
US initial jobless claims and continued claims measure weekly labour market trends. The dataset includes initial claims, continued claims, four-week averages, and the insured unemployment rate in the United States. Published weekly by the US Department of Labor via FRED, with series starting from 2000.
Frequently asked questions
- What are US initial jobless claims?
- US initial jobless claims measure the number of individuals who filed for unemployment insurance benefits for the first time during the week with state agencies in the United States.
- How often is the US jobless claims data published and how far back does it go?
- The data is published weekly by the US Department of Labor via FRED, with historical records extending back to 2000.
- What metrics and breakdowns are included in this table?
- The table includes initial jobless claims, continued claims, four-week moving averages for both measures, and the insured unemployment rate across the United States.
- How do initial claims differ from continued claims?
- Initial claims track brand-new filings for unemployment benefits, whereas continued claims track workers who have already filed and continue to receive unemployment insurance in the United States.
