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U.S. Job Growth Stalls in July, Black Unemployment Remains Elevated

August 5, 2025

The U.S. economy added only 73,000 jobs in July 2023, continuing a trend of weak growth as the unemployment rate remained at 4. 2 percent. Black workers faced a disproportionately high unemployment rate of 7.

Who is affected

  • 7.2 million unemployed individuals across the U.S.
  • Black workers facing 7.2 percent unemployment rate
  • Hispanic workers with 5.0 percent unemployment rate
  • Asian workers with 3.9 percent unemployment rate
  • White workers with 3.7 percent unemployment rate
  • Teenagers experiencing 15.2 percent unemployment
  • 1.8 million long-term unemployed (27+ weeks)
  • 985,000 new labor market entrants seeking first jobs
  • Federal government employees (12,000 jobs lost in July)

What action is being taken

  • Health care sector is adding 55,000 positions, including 34,000 in ambulatory services and 16,000 in hospitals
  • Social assistance is adding 18,000 jobs, primarily in individual and family services (21,000 increase)
  • Modest wage growth continues with average hourly earnings increasing by 12 cents to $36.44 for all private-sector employees
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics is tracking and reporting employment data monthly

Why it matters

  • The sluggish job growth indicates a weakening labor market
  • Significant racial disparities persist in unemployment rates
  • Downward revisions of previous months' job numbers by 258,000 shows the job market is much weaker than initially reported
  • The rise in long-term unemployment (up 179,000 to 1.8 million) suggests structural employment challenges
  • Federal government employment continues to decline, with 84,000 jobs lost since January

What's next

  • The next employment report covering August 2025 is scheduled for release on Friday, September 5.

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint