Number of US Workers on Unemployment Rises to Highest Level in Over 2 Years

The number adds to other labor market data, signaling labor market softening.

The Department of Labor building in Washington, on March 26, 2020. Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images

The number of Americans on unemployment rolls has risen for the ninth straight week, according to data released Wednesday by the Department of Labor, in the latest signal that the labor market is weakening.

The total number of Americans collecting unemployment benefits—known as continuing claims—rose to 1.86 million for the week of June 22. That’s the highest level since November 2021.