The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits declined for a second consecutive week, remaining near historically low levels despite recent signs of softer hiring.
Initial jobless claims fell by 4,000 to a seasonally adjusted 203,000 in the week ended Aug. 22, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The reading was below economists’ expectations of 208,000.
The four-week moving average, which helps smooth weekly volatility, increased to 205,500 from a revised 204,250. Initial claims remain well below their year-earlier level of 229,000.
Continuing Claims Also Decline
Continuing claims, which track people already receiving unemployment benefits, fell by 18,000 to 1.778 million in the week ended Aug. 15. The insured unemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.2%.
The latest figures show that layoffs remain limited even as other labor-market indicators have pointed to slower hiring. July payrolls unexpectedly contracted, while the unemployment rate declined to 4.1%.
Claims have remained at historically low levels through much of the summer, including a decline to 189,000 in mid-July, the lowest reading in decades.
Federal Employee Claims Reach Lowest Since 2024
Initial unemployment claims filed by former federal civilian employees declined by 59 to 390 in the week ended Aug. 15. That compares with 588 during the comparable period a year earlier.
The weekly claims figures provide one of the most frequent readings on U.S. employment conditions. The Labor Department notes that initial claims can help identify emerging changes in the labor market, while continuing claims provide additional information on the number of workers remaining on unemployment benefits.
