Initial Jobless Claims
Initial jobless claims refer to the number of individuals who file for unemployment benefits for the first time. This figure is released weekly by the U.S. Department of Labor and is used to measure the health of the labor market. It is considered to be a leading indicator of economic activity, as it provides insight into the number of people who are out of work and looking for a job.
History of Initial Jobless Claims
Initial jobless claims have been tracked since 1967, when the U.S. Department of Labor began collecting data on the number of individuals filing for unemployment benefits. The data is collected from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and is released on a weekly basis. The data is used to measure the health of the labor market, as it provides insight into the number of people who are out of work and looking for a job.
Comparison of Initial Jobless Claims
| Year | Initial Jobless Claims |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 6.6 million |
| 2019 | 2.4 million |
| 2018 | 1.7 million |
Summary
Initial jobless claims provide insight into the number of people who are out of work and looking for a job. The data is collected from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and is released on a weekly basis. It is considered to be a leading indicator of economic activity, as it provides insight into the number of people who are out of work and looking for a job. For more information on initial jobless claims, visit the U.S. Department of Labor website or the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
See Also
- Unemployment Rate
- Labor Force Participation Rate
- Nonfarm Payrolls
- Continuing Jobless Claims
- Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey
- Employment Cost Index
- Productivity and Costs
- Employment Situation Summary
- Average Workweek
- Average Hourly Earnings
