• Key labor market statistics including monthly jobs reports and unemployment data will remain unavailable during the government shutdown
  • The data blackout creates significant challenges for financial markets, policymakers, and businesses relying on official economic indicators
  • The ongoing shutdown, now among the longest in U.S. history, has furloughed approximately 750,000 federal workers and is projected to reduce Q4 GDP growth

The Bureau of Labor Statistics will not release any major labor market data—including the closely watched monthly jobs report and weekly jobless claims—until the U.S. government shutdown concludes, according to statements from the Labor Department chief.

The suspension, which took effect when the shutdown began on October 1, 2025, means market participants and policymakers are flying blind on critical economic indicators at a time of heightened uncertainty. The BLS has halted all major data releases except for one inflation report that was delayed by a week, according to people familiar with the matter.

"Without this data, we're essentially navigating without instruments in foggy conditions," said one portfolio manager at a major asset management firm who declined to be named due to company policy. "The markets are relying on private-sector substitutes, but everyone knows they're not the same as the official numbers."

The Congressional Budget Office projects the shutdown could reduce real GDP growth by 1-2 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2025, with as many as 750,000 federal workers furloughed. While most economic activity is expected to rebound after the shutdown ends, the CBO estimates between $7 billion and $14 billion in economic activity may be permanently lost.

Efforts to resolve the funding impasse have repeatedly stalled in the Senate, where six attempts by Democrats to pass a funding bill have been blocked. The Labor Department did not respond to requests for comment on when data releases might resume.

Financial institutions have increasingly turned to alternative data sources including ADP payroll figures and ISM PMI surveys, though analysts caution these cannot fully replace the comprehensive nature of government statistics. The lack of official data comes at a particularly sensitive time for Federal Reserve policymakers, who rely on labor market indicators for interest rate decisions.

Prediction markets currently estimate a 72% probability the shutdown will last more than 30 days, according to people familiar with the matter, suggesting the data blackout could extend well into November. The situation has prompted calls from business groups and labor unions for immediate resolution, though congressional leaders remain at an impasse over spending priorities.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the number of federal workers affected. Approximately 750,000 workers have been furloughed, representing about 0.4% of the civilian labor force.