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THE ECONOMICS DAILY
From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
08-26-2026 - Teens ages 16 to 19 were employed at nearly half the rate of young adults ages 20 to 24 in July 2026 - August 26, 2026 - The month of July typically marks the summertime peak in youth employment. The employment–population ratio, which is the percentage of the population that is currently working, was 36.5 percent for teens ages 16 to 19 in July 2026, compared with 67.5 percent for young adults ages 20 to 24. The gap in the employment–population ratio between the two age groups has been about 30 percentage points since the late 2000s. Employment–population ratios for both age groups have declined from their historical highs. For young adults ages 20 to 24, the ratio peaked at 76.7 percent in July 1989. For teens ages 16 to 19, it reached a high of 60.1 percent in July 1978. Compared with July 2026, the employment–population ratio has fallen by 9.2 percentage points for young adults and by 23.6 percentage points for teens ages 16 to 19 since those peaks. These data are from the Current Population Survey. Because this analysis focuses on the seasonal changes in youth employment and unemployment that occur each summer, the data are not seasonally adjusted.
08-25-2026 - Unemployment rates were lower in 10 states in July 2026 - August 25, 2026 - In July 2026, unemployment rates were lower than a month earlier in 10 states and stable in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Twelve states had jobless rate increases from a year earlier, 10 states and the District had decreases, and 28 states had little change. The national unemployment rate, 4.1 percent, changed little both over the month and over the year. South Dakota had the lowest jobless rate in July, 2.0 percent. The District of Columbia had the highest unemployment rate, 5.9 percent. In total, 16 states had unemployment rates lower than the U.S. figure of 4.1 percent, 9 states and the District had higher rates, and 25 states had rates that were not appreciably different from that of the nation. In July, 10 states had unemployment rate decreases: Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Washington (-0.2 percentage point each) and Delaware, Florida, and North Dakota (-0.1 point each). Forty states and the District of Columbia had jobless rates that were not notably different from those of a month earlier, though some had changes that were at least as large numerically as the significant changes. Twelve states had unemployment rate increases from July 2025, the largest of which were in Connecticut (+1.3 percentage points) and Oklahoma (+1.0 point). Ten states and the District of Columbia had over-the-year rate decreases, the largest of which were in New Jersey and Ohio (-1.1 percentage points each). These data are from the Local Area Unemployment Statistics program and are seasonally adjusted. Data for the most recent month are preliminary.
08-24-2026 - Hires rates were 4.0 percent or higher in 6 states in 2025 - August 24, 2026 - In 2025, annual average hires rates averaged 4.0 percent or higher in 6 states: Alaska (5.2 percent), Montana (4.8 percent), Wyoming (4.5 percent), Idaho (4.2 percent), and Indiana and South Carolina (4.0 percent each). Among these six states, annual hires levels ranged from 158,000 in Wyoming to 1,584,000 in Indiana. Nationally, there were 62,972,000 hires in 2025, and the U.S. annual average hires rate was 3.3 percent. Hires rates were 3.0 percent or lower in the District of Columbia (2.4 percent), Massachusetts and Pennsylvania (2.7 percent each), Washington (2.8 percent), Minnesota (2.9 percent), and California, Hawaii, Maryland, and Missouri (3.0 percent each). Among these eight states and the District, annual hires levels ranged from 217,000 in the District to 6,527,000 in California. These data are from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey.
08-21-2026 - Import prices up 5.9 percent over the year ended July 2026 - August 21, 2026 - Import prices increased 5.9 percent from July 2025 to July 2026. Prices for fuel imports increased 25.2 percent due in part to increases in import prices for petroleum and petroleum products (26.3 percent) and natural gas (74.3 percent). Nonfuel import prices rose 4.5 percent, the largest over-the-year advance since prices increased 4.6 percent for the year ended June 2022. Higher prices for capital goods; nonfuel industrial supplies and materials; consumer goods, excluding automotives; as well as foods, feeds, and beverages more than offset lower prices for automotive vehicles, parts, and engines for the year ended July 2026. These data are from the International Price program and are not seasonally adjusted.
08-20-2026 - Job openings rate little changed at 4.4 percent in June 2026 - August 20, 2026 - The rate of job openings changed little at 4.4 percent in June 2026. The number of job openings was also little changed at 7.4 million. The hires rate changed little at 3.4 percent in June, and the number was unchanged at 5.3 million. Hires decreased by 6,000 in federal government. The rate and number of total separations changed little at 3.4 percent and 5.4 million, respectively. Total separations changed little in all industries. These data are from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and are seasonally adjusted. Data for the most recent month are preliminary. Job openings include all positions that are open on the last business day of the month. Hires and separations include all changes to the payroll during the entire month.
08-19-2026 - Final demand producer prices up 4.7 percent over year ended July 2026 - August 19, 2026 - The Producer Price Index for final demand increased 4.7 percent for the 12 months ended in July 2026. Prices for final demand goods rose 6.5 percent, and prices for services increased 3.9 percent. Final demand construction prices were up 5.2 percent. Within goods, prices for final demand energy rose 18.2 percent, while prices for final demand foods were nearly unchanged (-0.1 percent). Prices for all other goods increased 4.9 percent. In services, prices for final demand transportation and warehousing increased 10.0 percent, while prices for trade services were up 2.4 percent. Prices for all other services increased 3.9 percent over the year ended in July 2026. These data are from the Producer Price Indexes program and are not seasonally adjusted.
08-18-2026 - Real average hourly earnings decreased 0.2 percent from July 2025 to July 2026 - August 18, 2026 - From July 2025 to July 2026, real average hourly earnings for all employees decreased 0.2 percent. The change in real average hourly earnings combined with a 0.3-percent increase in the average workweek resulted in a 0.1-percent increase in real average weekly earnings over this period. From July 2025 to July 2026, real average hourly earnings for production and nonsupervisory employees decreased 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted. The change in real average hourly earnings combined with an increase of 0.3 percent in the average workweek resulted in a 0.2-percent increase in real average weekly earnings over this period. These data are from the Current Employment Statistics program and are seasonally adjusted. Earnings for the most recent 2 months are preliminary.
08-17-2026 - Time spent in personal care activities averaged 9.8 hours per day in 2025 - August 17, 2026 - Time spent each day in personal care activities, including sleeping and grooming, averaged 9.8 hours in 2025. Women spent 10.0 hours in personal care activities; men, 9.6 hours. On average, men spent more time engaged in leisure and sports activities than women, 5.6 hours compared with 4.8 hours. Men's hours in work and work-related activities averaged 3.8 hours per day, while women averaged 2.8 hours. On an average day, women spent 2.4 hours on household activities (such as housework, cooking, lawn care, or household management), while men spent 1.6 hours engaged in these activities. Eating and drinking activities averaged approximately 1.2 hours per day for both men and women. These data are from the American Time Use Survey.
08-14-2026 - Consumer prices up 3.4 over the year in July 2026 - August 14, 2026 - Over the 12 months ended July 2026, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 3.4 percent, after rising 3.5 percent for the year ending in June. Prices for energy increased 14.7 percent, while food prices increased 3.0 percent. Prices for items other than food and energy rose 2.5 percent over the year. he 14.7-percent increase in energy prices over the past 12 months was due in large part to prices for gasoline rising 24.6 percent over the same period. Prices for natural gas increased 4.3 percent and prices for electricity rose 4.2 percent. Within the food category, consumer prices for food away from home rose 3.4 percent. Prices for food at home rose 2.7 percent. Prices for lettuce decreased in July 2026, but over the 12-month period prices for fresh vegetables overall increased 6.3 percent, and lettuce prices were up 7.5 percent. In the all items less food and energy category, prices for services less energy services were up 3.0 percent, including a 3.2-percent increase in prices for shelter. Prices for commodities less food and energy commodities increased 0.8 percent. In this category, apparel prices were up 3.9 percent over the year. Consumers paid lower prices for used cars and trucks (-1.9 percent) and medical care commodities (-2.7 percent) in July 2026 compared with a year earlier. These data are from the Consumer Price Index program and are not seasonally adjusted.