US Female unemployment rate aged 20 and over
US Female unemployment rate aged 20 and over stood at 3.6% in Sep 2026, according to FRED (Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis). It is one of the indicators in the Unemployment table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 1948 to Sep 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Unemployment table
| Indicator | 09-2026 | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women 20 years and over2 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.9 | 4 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 3.9 | |
| Women 20-24 years | 8 | 7 | 7.6 | 7.6 | 6.2 | 6.9 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 7 | 6.9 | |
| Women 25 years and over | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.6 |
Understanding US Female unemployment rate aged 20 and over
Females aged twenty and over in the United States enter the denominator if they are employed or classified as unemployed, with the numerator retaining only those who are jobless, seeking work, and available, according to FRED. Homemakers, retirees, students, and those outside the labour market for other reasons are not considered unemployed. This indicator omits female adolescents, thereby reflecting the broader adult labour market while encompassing early career stages, prime working years, and older ages, unlike sub-series restricted to narrow age spans.
Monthly data can be read via periodic changes to identify turning points, though year-on-year comparisons help diminish seasonal noise. Shifts in the age structure of the female labour force can alter the aggregate rate even when age-specific rates change little; analysts should therefore review disaggregated age slices alongside unemployment counts. A downward movement does not adequately prove improving employment conditions if participation rates are simultaneously falling, and recent observations may be revised following initial publication.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this indicator include older women who still work?
- Yes, provided they belong to the labour force; there is no upper age limit within the scope specified in the indicator name.
- Why does the result differ from the overall female unemployment rate?
- This indicator excludes young women, a group that typically exhibits different unemployment levels and seasonality.
- Should it be read alongside the number of unemployed adult women?
- Yes, because the headcount shows scale while the rate shows the degree of unemployment within the labour force.