U.S. BLS
Monthly
U6RATE
U-6 underemployment rate
Level
8.1%
▼
Prev 8.2% (-0.10 pt)
2026-05-01 as of
A broader unemployment measure that adds the "marginally attached" (who gave up looking) and those working part-time for economic reasons to the official U-3 rate. It captures labor-market slack and job quality more fully.
Key points
- U-3 plus marginally attached plus part-time for economic reasons
- A broader rate, always above U-3
- The U-6–U-3 gap signals job quality / hidden slack
- A fuller read of the labor market
How to read it
Read in percent. Always higher than the official U-3 rate. A wide U-6 minus U-3 gap means more involuntary part-time and hidden slack — a sign of weaker job quality. Useful for a fuller read of the labor market.
Recent trend
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-01 | 8.1% | -0.1pt |
| 2026-04-01 | 8.2% | +0.2pt |
| 2026-03-01 | 8% | +0.1pt |
| 2026-02-01 | 7.9% | -0.2pt |
| 2026-01-01 | 8.1% | -0.3pt |
| 2025-12-01 | 8.4% | -0.3pt |
| 2025-11-01 | 8.7% | +0.6pt |
| 2025-09-01 | 8.1% | 0pt |
| 2025-08-01 | 8.1% | +0.2pt |
| 2025-07-01 | 7.9% | +0.2pt |
| 2025-06-01 | 7.7% | -0.1pt |
| 2025-05-01 | 7.8% | 0pt |
FAQ
U-3 vs U-6?
U-3 is the official rate (actively job-seeking unemployed). U-6 adds those who gave up looking and people working part-time for economic reasons who want full-time work — a broader measure.
Sources (primary)
This article is an independent summary based on the official U.S. data below. Please verify the latest and exact details with the official sources.
- BLS (series page, official)：LNS13327709
- Source agency：U.S. BLS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (public domain). This site is not endorsed or certified by the BLS.