Unemployment rate rose sharply in August
September 10, 2001
The unemployment rate rose by 0.4 percentage point to 4.9 percent in August, the highest level since September 1997.
[Chart data—TXT]
The jobless rate had been about 4.5 percent since April. Its most recent low was 3.9 percent in October 2000.
The number of unemployed persons increased by more than half a million to nearly 7 million in August. The unemployment rates for most major worker groups were up over the month.
These data are a product of the Current Population Survey. The above figures are all seasonally adjusted. Find out more in "The Employment Situation: August 2001," news release USDL 01-293.
OF INTEREST
Recent editions of Spotlight on Statistics
- Fatal Injuries to Foreign-Born Hispanic or Latino Workers
Explores the industries, occupations, and events related to these fatalities.
- For-Profit, Nonprofit, and Government Sector Jobs in 2022
Compares the labor force characteristics and experiences of workers in the for-profit, nonprofit, government, and self-employed sectors.
- Union Membership, Activity, and Compensation in 2022
Focuses on trends in union membership, work stoppages, and pay and benefits among union members.
- A Look at a Neat Industry: Distilleries
Examines trends in employment, establishments, wages, and consumer prices for distilleries.
- Healthcare Occupations: Characteristics of the Employed
Compares the demographic characteristics of workers in healthcare occupations.
United States Department of Labor
