US jobless claims eased to 194,000 in the week to 24 October
The Labor Department's advance figure for initial claims was 194,000 in the week ended 24 October, down 1,000 from a revised 195,000 the week before.
Initial claims for unemployment insurance fell to a seasonally adjusted 194,000 in the week ended 24 October 2026, down 1,000 from a revised 195,000 the week before. The Labor Department published the figures on 29 October 2026 (US Department of Labor: Unemployment insurance weekly claims, 29 October 2026). The advance figure is a first estimate and can be revised.
Key figures
- Initial claims, advance: 194,000 for the week ended 24 October
- Prior week, revised: 195,000
- Four-week average: 196,750, down 1,250 from the revised prior average
- Insured unemployment rate: 1.1% for the week ended 17 October
- Insured unemployment: 1,701,000 for the week ended 17 October, down 21,000
Reading it
The four-week average smooths out single-week swings, and it fell by 1,250 this week. Recent weekly readings have stayed between about 194,000 and 197,000, as the earlier reports show (the report for the week to 17 October and the report for the week to 26 September). For the monthly picture, see the September payrolls report.
Sources
Common questions
What were initial jobless claims in the week ended 24 October 2026?
The advance figure was 194,000, seasonally adjusted, according to the Labor Department.
Why does the advance figure change in later reports?
The Labor Department revises the prior week in each report. This week the prior week moved from 194,000 to 195,000.
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