Unemployment just hit its highest point in nearly four years

After a nearly six-week delay caused by the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its September 2025 economic report Thursday. The report showed the unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.4%, with hiring still below historic norms.

The data will help guide the Federal Reserve in deciding whether to adjust interest rates. The Federal Open Market Committee meets Dec. 9–10 and is expected to lower rates.

September’s unemployment rate was the highest in nearly four years after a stretch of unusually low joblessness. The economy added 117,000 jobs in September — an improvement from August’s weak gain of 22,000, and above some expectations — but still below the decade-long monthly average of 146,000.

Worker pay continues to outpace inflation, with