The broadest measure of unemployment in the United States, the U6 rate, eased to 7.9% in June 2026, down from 8.1% in May 2026. The latest data, updated on 2 July 2026, point to a modest improvement in underemployment and labor market slack across the economy.
The U6 rate captures not only the officially unemployed but also discouraged workers and those working part time for economic reasons, offering a more comprehensive view of labor market health than the headline unemployment rate. The 0.2 percentage point decline from May to June suggests that fewer workers are struggling with insufficient hours or marginal attachment to the workforce, an encouraging sign for overall labor conditions.
While the move is incremental, the downward shift in the U6 indicator may support a more positive outlook on consumer incomes and spending capacity, both closely watched by investors and policymakers tracking the strength and durability of the U.S. economic expansion.
