The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly ticked higher last week, hitting the highest level in three weeks.

Figures released Thursday by the Labor Department show initial claims for the week ended March 25 rose to 198,000 from the 191,000 recorded a week earlier. That marks the highest level since late February, although it is still below the 2019 pre-pandemic average of 218,000 claims.

Continuing claims, filed by Americans who are consecutively receiving unemployment benefits, rose slightly to 1.68 million for the week ended March 18, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week. One year ago, nearly 1.9 million Americans were collecting unemployment benefits.

The labor market remains an unsolved puzzle in the Federal Reserve's campaign to raise interest rates and slow the economy. Layoffs are on the rise, but job openings remain near a record high. Private-sector hiring rose faster than expected in February, but jobless claims are also ticking higher.

Central bank officials have made it clear that they expect unemployment to climb as a result of higher rates, which could force consumers and businesses to pull back on spending. Job losses are "very likely," Fed Chairman Jerome Powell told lawmakers earlier in March. 

Projections from the central bank's Ma meeting show that officials expect unemployment to rise to 4.6% by the end of next year, up from the current rate of 3.5%.

That could mean more than 1 million Americans lose their jobs between now and the end of 2023.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.