datoid

April 2002 unemployment reached 5.90%, marking a 2.9 standard deviation jump above the 5-year average of 4.50%. This represents the highest rate since 1996 and caps a steady 17-month climb from 3.80% in April 2000. The surge coincides with broader economic stress signals: Treasury yields up 10.6% and GDP growth slowing to 1.4% quarterly. The labor market deterioration appears to be outpacing other economic indicators. What's particularly notable is the sustained trajectory - unemployment has risen for 8 consecutive months without interruption.