The US unemployment rate was 4.3% in March, 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today. Job gains occurred in health care, in construction, and in transportation and warehousing. Federal government employment continued to decline.
BLS reported that the number of unemployed Black women fell from 804,000 to 691,000, by 113,000 persons in March, 2026.
Note that the reported industries with job gains do not match industries where Black women are employed. Overall payroll employment increasing by 178,000 would mean 63% of the new jobs went to Black women. This is unlikely and indicates a need for further review. In other words, we do not trust these initial numbers...
Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for people who are Asian (3.7 percent) decreased in March. The jobless rates for adult men (3.8 percent), adult women (4.0 percent), teenagers (13.7 percent), and people who are White (3.6 percent), Black (7.1 percent), or Hispanic (4.8 percent) showed little change over the month.
BLS reported that the number of unemployed Black women fell from 804,000 to 691,000, by 113,000 persons in March, 2026.
Note that the reported industries with job gains do not match industries where Black women are employed. Overall payroll employment increasing by 178,000 would mean 63% of the new jobs went to Black women. This is unlikely and indicates a need for further review. In other words, we do not trust these initial numbers...
Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for people who are Asian (3.7 percent) decreased in March. The jobless rates for adult men (3.8 percent), adult women (4.0 percent), teenagers (13.7 percent), and people who are White (3.6 percent), Black (7.1 percent), or Hispanic (4.8 percent) showed little change over the month.
References:
Why The Jan 2026 “Drop” in Black Women’s Unemployment Raises Red Flags
What to Expect from Friday’s August Jobs Report: Trouble Ahead for Black Workers (Especially Black Women)
A Troubling Turn: Black Unemployment Sees Sharp Rise Amid 2025 Labor Market Shifts
Likely Causes Behind Black Women’s Unemployment Spike
From Layoffs To Leverage: How Black Women Are Navigating The New Economic Frontier
Black Women Lost an Extra 106,000 Jobs
➡️ BLS data shows growing divergence beneath headline numbers
🔗 Impact Investing Online: December 2025 Employment Situation
➡️ This gap has deep roots — not a one-month anomaly
🔗 Impact Investing Online: Unemployment by Race & Ethnicity (June)
Also see:
Is the Q3 2025 GDP Report Wrong? What the Data Really Shows...
Black Employment Crisis: June 2025 Update on Job Losses & Labor Market Trends
Black Women’s Unemployment Rises in May 2025 – Forecast vs. Reality
A Deteriorating Labor Market for Blacks: Changes in Black Employment