US LONG TERM UNEMPLOYMENT HITS FOUR-YEAR HIGH – FT
— First Squawk (@FirstSquawk) January 26, 2026
The unemployment rate climbed to its highest level in more than four years as the US labor market shows more signs of weakness heading into 2026.
The national unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in November, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data released on Tuesday, Dec. 16. That’s the highest level since September 2021.
The increase follows months of turbulence that had already weakened confidence in the labor market before the latest report. BLS data from June and August showed net job losses, marking the first time since 2020 that the economy recorded two months of contraction ahead of November, NBC News reported.
The BLS figures also showed that the US shed 105,000 jobs in October before adding 64,000 jobs in November. Initial payroll estimates for August and September were revised downward, with the country losing a combined 33,000 more jobs than previously reported.