Story perspectives

BLS Data Collection Halted, October Reports Delayed to December

12/18/2025

Summary

Story summary

The Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) faced disruptions during the shutdown from October 1 to November 12, 2025, halting data collection, processing, and distribution and delaying labor market report.
Zhao, BLS chief economist, noted that recalling past activities becomes difficult.
As a result, October data including unemployment rate would not be released and would be combined with the November report, delayed from December 5 to December 16.

History

Historical Context

The 2013 U.S. government shutdown, lasting 16 days, stemmed from a standoff over the Affordable Care Act, resulting in approximately 800,000 federal employees being furloughed. This disruption mirrored the economic impacts of previous shutdowns, such as the 1995-1996 events, which highlighted how funding disputes can significantly affect labor market data and economic growth, costing the economy billions.

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Story summary

The Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) faced disruptions during the shutdown from October 1 to November 12, 2025, halting data collection, processing, and distribution and delaying labor market report.
Zhao, BLS chief economist, noted that recalling past activities becomes difficult.
As a result, October data including unemployment rate would not be released and would be combined with the November report, delayed from December 5 to December 16.

1 / 2