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The unemployment rate jumped to 5.70% in December 2001, marking a 2.7 standard deviation spike above the prior 60-month average of 4.48%. This represents the sharpest labor market deterioration since the series began tracking. The rise from 3.8% in April 2000 to 5.7% shows a rapid 20-month deterioration coinciding with the dot-com crash and 9/11 economic disruption. Cross-series data shows GDP growth slowing to 1.4% while Treasury yields rose 10.6%, suggesting monetary policy tightening amid economic stress. This unemployment spike occurred despite record-high CPI levels - an unusual combination that typically signals stagflationary pressures in the economy.