Unemployment Rate Hits 8.6% in September

According to the Household Labor Force Survey results, the number of unemployed individuals aged 15 and older increased by 35,000 in September 2024 compared to the previous month, reaching 3.1 million. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.6%. The unemployment rate was estimated at 6.7% for men and 12.3% for women.

The seasonally adjusted employment rate was reported at 49.7%. The number of employed individuals increased by 95,000 in September 2024 compared to the previous month, totaling 32.823 million, while the employment rate rose by 0.1 percentage points to 49.7%. This rate was 67.3% for men and 32.5% for women.

The seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate stood at 54.4%. In September 2024, the labor force increased by 131,000 from the previous month, totaling 35.923 million, while the participation rate rose by 0.2 percentage points to 54.4%. The labor force participation rate was 72.1% for men and 37.0% for women.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the youth population was 17.1%. For the age group 15-24, the unemployment rate increased by 0.3 percentage points compared to the previous month, reaching 17.1%. The unemployment rate for this age group was estimated to be 13.5% for men and 24.0% for women.

Summary of labor force indicators for individuals aged 15 and older, September 2024:

	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female
	66,016	32,666	33,350	65,979	32,649	33,330	37	17	20
Labor Force	35,923	23,567	12,356	35,792	23,521	12,271	131	46	85
Employment	32,823	21,981	10,842	32,728	21,877	10,850	95	104	-8
Unemployed	3,100	1,586	1,514	3,065	1,644	1,421	35	-58	93
Not in Labor Force	30,093	9,099	20,994	30,187	9,128	21,059	-94	-29	-65
Labor Force Participation Rate	54.4%	72.1%	37.0%	54.2%	72.0%	36.8%	0.2	0.1	0.2
Employment Rate	49.7%	67.3%	32.5%	49.6%	67.0%	32.6%	0.1	0.3	-0.1
Unemployment Rate	8.6%	6.7%	12.3%	8.6%	7.0%	11.6%	0.0	-0.3	0.7
Youth Unemployment Rate	17.1%	13.5%	24.0%	16.8%	13.8%	22.3%	0.3	-0.3	1.7

The numbers in the table may not sum due to rounding. Revisions are published for estimates related to previous months in accordance with the seasonal adjustment methodology.

The seasonally and calendar-adjusted average weekly actual working time was reported at 42.7 hours. For employed individuals, the average actual working time remained the same in September 2024 compared to the previous month at 42.7 hours.

The seasonally adjusted idle labor force rate stood at 25.6%. The rate of idle labor, consisting of time-related underemployment, potential labor force, and unemployed individuals, decreased by 1.7 percentage points in September 2024 compared to the previous month, reaching 25.6%. The combined rate of time-related underemployment and unemployed individuals was estimated to be 17.3%, while the combined rate of unemployed and potential labor force was estimated at 17.9%.