View: Unemployment Demographics | Department of Numbers

In addition to the headline unemployment rate, the BLS also breaks out the unemployment rate for numerous demographic groups. The unemployment rate by education level, race/ethnicity, age and gender are reported below.

In 1992, the BLS began tracking unemployment rates by education level. Highlighted below are the unemployment rates for the following four groups classified by education attained: 1. Less than a high school diploma 2. A high school diploma but no college 3. Some college or an Associate degree 4. Bachelor's degree or higher. All groups consist of individuals 25 years old or higher.

Education Level Achieved June 2012 Month/Month(Points) Year/Year(Points) Less thanHigh School 12.6% -0.4 -1.6 High School GradNo College 8.4% +0.3 -1.6 Some Collegeor Associate Degree 7.5% -0.4 -0.9 Bachelor's Degreeor Higher 4.1% +0.2 -0.3 Unemployment Rate: Some HS, HS Grad, Some College, Bachelor's or Higher

Note: Recessions shown in gray

The unemployment rate by race time series goes back to 1954. With the exception of the Asian time series, all of the rates shown here are seasonally adjusted. Hispanics may be of any race.

Race/Ethnicity June 2012 Month/Month(Points) Year/Year(Points) White 7.4% 0.0 -0.7 Black orAfrican American 14.4% +0.8 -1.8 Hispanic or Latino 11.0% 0.0 -0.6 Asian 6.3% +1.1 -0.5 Unemployment Rate: White, Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian

The unemployment age time series begins in 1948. Recent history has shown greater employment stability as age increases.

Age Range June 2012 Month/Month(Points) Year/Year(Points) 25-34 8.2% 0.0 -1.4 35-44 7.0% +0.2 -0.7 45-54 6.3% -0.1 -1.0 55+ 6.2% -0.3 -0.7 Unemployment Rate: 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55+

The unemployment rate time series for men and women also begins in 1948. Traditionally, women have had greater employment stability than men during economic downturns.

Sex June 2012 Month/Month(Points) Year/Year(Points) Male 8.4% 0.0 -1.3 Female 8.0% +0.1 -0.5 Unemployment Rate: Male, Female