February 2026 Jobs Day Analysis

The Joint Center analyzes unemployment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and shows how these numbers affect Black workers. Our February Jobs Day analysis is below.

• From January to February, the unemployment rate for Black workers increased from 7.3 percent (revised from 7.2 percent) to 7.7 percent.
• In February 2025, the unemployment rate for Black workers was 1.7 percentage points lower at 6 percent.

• From January to February, the number of Black workers employed decreased by 26,000.
• From January to February, the unemployment rate for Black men decreased from 8.1 percent (revised from 8 percent) to 7.6 percent.
• The unemployment rate for Black women increased from 6.5 percent (revised from 6.4) to 7.7 percent.

• From January to February, the unemployment rate for young Black workers increased from 13.7 percent (revised from 14 percent) to 14.7 percent, while the overall unemployment rate for all young workers also increased from 9.4 percent to 9.7 percent.

• In February, the overall unemployment rate was 4.4 percent, while the Black unemployment rate was 7.7 percent.
• At 7.7 percent, the Black unemployment rate is the highest among all racial groups: White 3.7 percent, Hispanic 5.2 percent, and Asian 4.8 percent.
• Fluctuations in the labor market and job growth create instability for the workforce, disproportionately impacting Black workers.
• For more information about the revisions due to population controls, read here: https://www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#pop