US Jobless Claims Fall to 206,000 Last Week

Layoffs Remain at Historically Low Levels

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell to 206,000 last week, indicating that layoffs remain at historically low levels despite economic uncertainty.

Why it matters

The low level of jobless claims suggests the labor market remains strong, even as the Federal Reserve raises interest rates to combat inflation. This data provides an important signal about the overall health of the US economy.

The details

The Labor Department reported that initial claims for state unemployment benefits decreased by 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 206,000 for the week ended February 18. This marks the third consecutive week that claims have been below the 220,000 level, which is considered consistent with a healthy job market.

  • The data is for the week ended February 18, 2026.

The players

US Labor Department

The federal agency responsible for collecting and publishing employment data, including weekly jobless claims.

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The takeaway

The low level of jobless claims suggests the US labor market remains resilient, even as the Federal Reserve works to cool the economy and bring down high inflation. This data provides a positive sign for the overall health of the economy.