United States Initial Jobless Claims
206,000▲ +2,000
Aug 2026 · Weekly
Initial jobless claims fell to 196,000 in the week ended September 12, from 206,000 in the prior week. The latest reading was down from 233,000 in the same week a year earlier. Continuing jobless claims totaled 1,730,000 in the week ended September 5, and the unemployment rate was 4.1% in August. The series all-time high was 6,137,000 in April 2020, and its all-time low was 162,000 in November 1968, according to Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Initial Jobless Claims in United States rose to 206,000 for the week ending Aug 2026 from 204,000 in Aug 2026.
| Actual | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Dates | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 206,000 | 204,000 | 6,137,000Apr 2020 | 162,000Nov 1968 | 1967 – 2026 | Weekly |
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About this series
Initial Jobless Claims in United States averaged 363,723 from 1990 until 2026, reaching an all-time high of 6,137,000 in Apr 2020 and a record low of 162,000 in Nov 1968. The series is reported weekly with history from 1967.
Source & methodology
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis · Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)
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