How the unemployment rate is calculated
The unemployment rate is the percentage of the labor force that is without work but actively looking for a job. It is calculated by dividing the number of unemployed people by the total labor force (employed plus unemployed) and multiplying by 100.
What counts as the labor force
The labor force includes people who are either currently working or actively seeking work. It excludes people who are not working and not looking for work, such as retirees, students, and people who have stopped searching — which is why the official unemployment rate can differ from broader measures of joblessness.
This calculator is for general education and planning purposes. Official unemployment statistics are produced by government labor agencies using standardized survey methods and definitions that may differ slightly from this simplified calculation.