U.S. average duration of unemployment 1990-2024

Published by
Abigail Tierney,
Mar 11, 2025

In 1990, the average duration of unemployment in the United States was 12 weeks. The duration increased to 21.6 weeks in 2024, which was an increase from the previous year. 

For monthly updates on unemployment in the United States, check either the monthly national unemployment rate here, or the monthly state unemployment rate here.

Average duration of unemployment in the United States from 1990 to 2024 (in weeks)

CharacteristicDuration in weeks
'24 21.6
'23 20.6
'22 22.6
'21 28.7
'20 16.5
'19 21.6
'18 22.7
'17 25
'16 27.5
'15 29.2
'14 33.7
'13 36.5
'12 39.4
Showing entries 1 to 13 (35 entries in total)
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Duration in weeks121213.713.717.717.7181818.818.816.616.616.716.715.815.814.514.513.413.412.612.613.113.116.616.619.219.219.619.618.418.416.816.816.816.817.917.924.424.4333339.339.339.439.436.536.533.733.729.229.227.527.5252522.722.721.621.616.516.528.728.722.622.620.620.621.621.6'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24
1015202530354045

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Release date

January 2025

Region

United States

Survey time period

1990 to 2024

Age group

16 years and older

Supplementary notes

Updated population controls are introduced annually with the release of January data.

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