At the highest level, applications increased for unemployment allowances to USA Last week since June, reinforcing evidence that the US labor market is deteriorating.
Specifically, initial applications for unemployment benefits in the US increased by 11,000 to 235,000 a week on August 16th. The average provision was for 225,000 applications, according to a Bloomberg analyst survey.
At the same time, the ongoing applications, reflecting the number of people receiving benefits, increased to 1.97 million per week ending August 9, the highest level since November 2021, according to the Ministry of Labor, published on Thursday (21.8.2025).
The constant increase in new applications may boost worries about the labor market after the latest US employment report, which has shown hypotension and higher unemployment. The latest increase in ongoing applications shows that unemployed Americans are experiencing more and more difficulties in finding a new job.
The average of the new applications of the last four weeks, an indicator that helps to normalize fluctuations from week to week, rose to 226,250 – the highest level in one month.
Prior to adjusting for seasonal agents, initial applications were reduced, led by California, Michigan and Texas, while initial applications increased in Kentucky, Massachusetts and Iowa.