Unemployment Rate
Returns the US unemployment rate from FRED. This is the most widely watched labor market indicator.
Data Source
Data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED, reported monthly.
Notes
- Percentage of labor force unemployed
- Key Fed policy indicator
- Reported first Friday of each month
Syntax
=UnemploymentRate()Returns
number
Unemployment rate as percentage
Examples
Current unemployment rate
When to Use
- Labor market health assessment
- Economic cycle analysis
- Fed policy prediction
- Recession analysis
When NOT to Use
| Scenario | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| Job quits | Quits() |
| Total separations | Separations() |
| Labor force participation | FRED direct access |
Common Issues & FAQ
When is this released?
First Friday of each month (Employment Situation report).
What about discouraged workers?
This is U-3 (official rate). U-6 includes discouraged workers (FRED access).
Related Formulas
More MarketXLS Economic Data formulas you can use in the same worksheet:
- Vehicle Sales - Light Weight
- Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index
- Average Hourly Earnings - Private
- Average Weekly Hours of Production
- Average Weeks Unemployed
- Bank Reserves
- Building Permits
- Canada - U.S. Foreign Exchange Rate
See UnemploymentRate used in a complete workbook: Jobs Report Tracker Excel: Live Labor Market Dashboard for May 2026 NFP
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