Economy articles
How many people are laid off in the US each month?
There were about 1.64 million layoffs and discharges in August 2026. This includes all terminations of employment by an employer — called layoffs and discharges — such as permanent layoffs, temporary layoffs, and terminations because of mergers, downsizing, closings, or employee performance.
What is the unemployment rate in the US right now?
Unemployment was at 4.2% in September 2026. That's a 0.1 percentage point increase from the prior month. The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who are actively looking for work but not currently employed. It's a common way to measure the health of the job market and economy.
How many job openings are there in the US?
There were about 7.08 million job openings as of August 2026. The number of job openings increased by 160,000 from August 2025. A “job opening” is defined as a position open on the last business day of the month. To be considered “open,” a job must meet three conditions: (1) There’s work available for the position; (2) The job could start within 30 days; and (3) The employer is actively recruiting.
How much foreign aid does the US provide overall?
About $48.3 billion in aid was obligated for fiscal year (FY) 2025, the most recent fully-reported year. Another $5.65 billion has been reported for FY 2026, and $5.65 billion was reported for FY 2026.
Diesel prices rose 89% from January low to September record high
The average cost of a gallon of diesel in the US is over $6. What's behind the increase?
How much do teachers get paid in the US?
Teachers made about $65,100 per year in 2025. That’s the annual median wage for pre-K-12 teachers across the United States, based on estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median marks the middle point—half of teachers earn more and half earn less. The lowest-paid 10% earned $48,200 or less, while the highest-paid 10% earned $104,300 or more.
What countries receive the most foreign aid from the US?
In fiscal year (FY) 2025 — the most recent fully-reported year — Ukraine received $6.75 billion, the most of any country. This amount reflects disbursements, a measure of foreign aid that captures when money is actually transferred out of US government accounts. Foreign aid is reported by more than 20 agencies within the federal government that fund foreign assistance activities.
Just the Facts on the Federal Reserve
The Federal Reserve may be the most important bank you never use. But why is it called a “bank”, how is it governed, and how does it influence daily life in the US? In this episode of Just the Facts, Steve Ballmer tells you everything you need to know about the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States.
Just the Facts on donor and recipient states
Every year, the federal government collects trillions of dollars in taxes from individuals and businesses across all 50 states. But does your state get that money back? Or does it send more than it receives?
Just the Facts on oil prices
Why do geopolitical tensions with Iran have such a large impact on how much everyday Americans pay for gas at the pump? And why are we seeing oil prices rise when the US is such a large producer of oil? Oil is a global market, so if supply is threatened anywhere, prices can rise everywhere — including at your local gas station.
What is the average US tariff rate overall?
About 6.5% in July 2026. The average effective tariff rate shows how much the US collects in customs duties as a percentage of the total value of imported goods. However, imports may have different tariff rates (or none at all) depending on factors like country of origin, product type, trade agreements, and much more.
Are wages keeping up with inflation?
Yes. From August 2025 to August 2026, wages grew 0.29 percentage points faster than inflation. Nominal wages — the literal dollars earned regardless of cost of living — increased by 3.7% while inflation stood at 3.4%. When wage growth outpaces inflation, it indicates that workers are experiencing an increase in purchasing power from the previous year.
How many civilian jobs are in the US federal government?
There are about 2.67 million civilian jobs in the federal government as of August 2026. Federal jobs include all jobs ranging from janitors to air traffic controllers to nurses to postal workers and more. (Enlisted service people are considered government employees but aren’t included in this figure because they’re not civilians.) Out of the 159.1 million nonfarm jobs in the US, 1.7% are in the federal government, the nation’s largest employer. Another way to look at it: The federal government is responsible for 1 in 60 jobs.
How many jobs were added in the US last month?
In August 2026, about 162,000 jobs were gained. That's below the monthly average of 196,000 new jobs of the previous five years. This data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' monthly Employment Situation Report, aka the “jobs report,” a closely watched economic indicator. These figures are often revised in later months as more complete data rolls in.
Where are police paid most in the US?
Carson City, Nevada officers earned 2025's highest cost-of-living adjusted median police income, while California led states in pay.
What is the labor force participation rate in the US?
The US labor force participation rate was 61.6% in August 2026. The labor force participation rate measures the percent of people ages 16 and older engaged in the labor market, including those who are working or who are unemployed but actively looking for a job.
What is the Federal Reserve?
Established in 1913, the Federal Reserve serves as the nation’s central bank, directing monetary policy and supporting financial stability.
How much does Medicare cost the federal government?
The federal government spent about $1.21 trillion on Medicare in 2025. Spending on Medicare, a federally run health insurance program primarily for people 65 and older, came out to $18,900 per beneficiary or $3,500 for every person in the US.
What is the federal government's budget deficit?
The federal government’s fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget deficit is about $1.97 trillion as of August. A budget deficit occurs when the federal government spends more money than it brings in through taxes, customs duties, the sale of assets, and other revenues. When the government has a deficit, it borrows money by selling bonds and other securities in order to pay for it, adding to the national debt. A budget surplus, on the other hand, occurs when the government brings in more money than it spends.
How much debt does the US have?
The US has $40.2 trillion in debt as of August 2026. The federal government borrows money when its spending and investments cannot be funded by federal revenue alone; this debt enables the government to pay for programs and services when funds aren’t immediately available.