Black Unemployment Rate Hits Highest Level Since 2021, Signaling Economic Concerns

The unemployment rate for Black Americans surged to 7.5% in August, marking its highest level since October 2021, according to seasonally adjusted data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This figure more than doubles the rate for WHITE workers, underscoring persistent racial disparities in the labor market.

Federal job cuts and tariff-induced economic uncertainty are cited as potential drivers of the trend. Black men saw a 7.1% unemployment rate, slightly higher than the 6.7% rate for Black women, though women have experienced sharper employment declines since Q1 2024. Youth unemployment remains dire, with Black teens facing a 24.8% rate.

Economists warn these metrics often presage broader economic downturns. "Unemployment rates for young Black males are a telltale sign of where the economy is headed," said Tulane University economist Gary Hoover. Gbenga Ajilore of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities likened the data to a "canary in the coal mine" for impending economic strain.