FRED US Unemployment Data
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About
Monthly unemployment data for the United States, sourced from the FRED, provides an essential gauge of the nation's economic vitality, capturing dynamic trends and shifting rates. All figures included in this dataset are seasonally adjusted. Examining unemployment rates broken down by age and gender assists researchers, policymakers, and analysts in uncovering underlying patterns and addressing potential disparities within the labour market. The dataset is delivered in two primary files: one detailing U.S. unemployment rates based on gender, and another categorising rates across various age groups, from young entrants (16-17) to seasoned professionals (55 and above). These files together offer significant insight into the intricacies of U.S. unemployment, pinpointing differences across demographics.
Columns
The dataset includes several columns, primarily found across two CSV files, with a consistent date range and record count for most entries.
Common Column:
date
: The date when the data was recorded, spanning from 1st January 1948 to 1st May 2024.
Overall and Gender-Specific Rates:
overall_rate
: The overall unemployment rate for the U.S. on a given date, ranging from 2.5% to 14.8%.men_rate
: The unemployment rate specific to men for the given date, ranging from 2.3% to 13.5%.women_rate
: The unemployment rate specific to women for the given date, ranging from 2.7% to 16.2%.
Age and Gender-Specific Rates:
men_16_17_rate
: Unemployment rate for men aged 16-17, ranging from 6.3% to 36.4%.women_16_17_rate
: Unemployment rate for women aged 16-17, ranging from 5.0% to 35.9%.men_16_19_rate
: Unemployment rate for men aged 16-19, ranging from 6.4% to 30.7%.women_16_19_rate
: Unemployment rate for women aged 16-19, ranging from 5.8% to 37.5%.men_18_19_rate
: Unemployment rate for men aged 18-19, ranging from 4.5% to 31.2%.women_18_19_rate
: Unemployment rate for women aged 18-19, ranging from 4.5% to 38.9%.men_16_24_rate
: Unemployment rate for men aged 16-24, ranging from 4.8% to 24.6%.women_16_24_rate
: Unemployment rate for women aged 16-24, ranging from 4.7% to 30.4%.men_20_24_rate
: Unemployment rate for men aged 20-24, ranging from 3.2% to 23.1%.women_20_24_rate
: Unemployment rate for women aged 20-24, ranging from 3.0% to 27.9%.men_25plus_rate
: Unemployment rate for men aged 25 and above, ranging from 1.6% to 12.1%.women_25plus_rate
: Unemployment rate for women aged 25 and above, ranging from 2.1% to 14.2%.men_25_34_rate
: Unemployment rate for men aged 25-34, ranging from 1.5% to 14.2%.women_25_34_rate
: Unemployment rate for women aged 25-34, ranging from 2.6% to 15.0%.men_25_54_rate
: Unemployment rate for men aged 25-54, ranging from 1.5% to 12.1%.women_25_54_rate
: Unemployment rate for women aged 25-54, ranging from 2.2% to 13.7%.men_35_44_rate
: Unemployment rate for men aged 35-44, ranging from 1.1% to 10.5%.women_35_44_rate
: Unemployment rate for women aged 35-44, ranging from 1.8% to 12.7%.men_45_54_rate
: Unemployment rate for men aged 45-54, ranging from 1.2% to 11.3%.women_45_54_rate
: Unemployment rate for women aged 45-54, ranging from 1.7% to 13.4%.men_55plus_rate
: Unemployment rate for men aged 55 and above, ranging from 1.5% to 12.1%.women_55plus_rate
: Unemployment rate for women aged 55 and above, ranging from 1.9% to 15.3%.
Distribution
The dataset is structured into CSV files. The
df_sex_unemployment_rates.csv
file is approximately 107.68 kB. Both files contain monthly unemployment data. Most columns contain 917 valid records each, covering the period from January 1948 to May 2024. However, the women_55plus_rate
column has 365 valid records, with 552 missing entries.Usage
This dataset is well-suited for a variety of analytical and research purposes:
- Economic Research: Investigate historical unemployment patterns to assess economic cycles and shifts.
- Policy Making: Guide the development of labour market policies and interventions, particularly those addressing age or gender disparities.
- Business Strategy: Enable companies to analyse job market conditions when planning expansions or contractions.
- Academic Projects: Support students and educators in case studies, dissertations, and classroom projects exploring economic or social trends.
Coverage
The dataset focuses on United States unemployment rates. It spans a significant time range from January 1948 to May 2024, with data provided monthly. The demographic scope includes unemployment rates broken down by both gender (men and women) and a variety of age groups, specifically: 16-17, 16-19, 18-19, 16-24, 20-24, 25+, 25-34, 25-54, 35-44, 45-54, and 55+. It is important to note that for the
women_55plus_rate
column, a notable portion of data is missing, specifically 552 out of 917 potential records.License
Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Who Can Use It
This dataset is an ideal resource for:
- Researchers: To delve into the intricate patterns of unemployment across different demographic segments.
- Policymakers: To formulate informed labour market policies and strategies to address inequalities.
- Analysts: To identify and understand potential disparities within the U.S. job market.
- Businesses: To evaluate prevailing job market conditions and inform strategic decisions regarding growth or restructuring.
- Students and Educators: For academic endeavours such as dissertations, case studies, or educational projects.
Dataset Name Suggestions
- US Unemployment Rates by Age and Gender (1948-Present)
- United States Historical Labour Market Statistics
- Demographic Unemployment Trends: US (1948-2024)
- Monthly US Jobless Data: Gender and Age Segments
- FRED US Unemployment Data
Attributes
Original Data Source: FRED US Unemployment Data