Unemployment rate increases in the first half of 2024, before leveling off, while the labor force participation rate holds fairly steady

In 2024, the U.S. unemployment rate ended the year at 4.2 percent in the fourth quarter, up from 3.8 percent a year earlier. The employment–population ratio edged down to 59.9 percent, while the labor force participation rate, at 62.5 percent, was little changed over the year. The telework rate, at 23.4 percent, continued to trend up in 2024.