In this video: The unemployment rate in the United States has risen to 4.6%. Let's discuss! Video by Benjamin Cowen.
In a report released on December 16, 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced that the national unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in November 2025. This is the highest jobless rate in over four years, reaching a level last seen in late 2021.
The data was significantly impacted by recent political and economic events:
Delayed Reporting: The report was postponed by more than a week due to a 43-day federal government shutdown (October 1 to November 12), which halted data collection for October.
Government Layoffs: Federal payrolls saw massive declines, losing 162,000 jobs in October and an additional 6,000 in November. These cuts were largely attributed to a "deferred resignation" program and buyouts initiated earlier in the year.
Mixed Sector Performance: While government and manufacturing jobs were shed, employment grew in healthcare (+46,000) and construction (+28,000) during November.
Monetary Response: The rising rate follows three consecutive quarter-point interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, most recently on December 10, 2025, aimed at shoring up the weakening labor market.
Economists describe the current environment as a "low-hire, low-fire" market, where companies are avoiding mass layoffs but remain hesitant to add new staff due to policy uncertainty and slowing growth.
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