The U.S. unemployment rate rose to 4.3% in July 2024, marking the fourth consecutive month of increase and reaching its highest level since October 2021.
Nonfarm payrolls grew by only 114,000, significantly below market expectations and the lowest increase in three months. The private sector added 97,000 jobs, with private service providers contributing 72,000 and goods-producing payrolls increasing by 25,000.
US Unemployment Rises
The construction sector saw a notable rise of 25,000 jobs, while manufacturing added 1,000 jobs, and mining and logging lost 1,000 jobs.
Government payrolls increased by 17,000 but slowed compared to the previous month. Earnings growth slowed to 3.6% year-over-year, the slowest since May 2021.
The softening labor market and decelerating inflation suggest the Federal Reserve may begin to ease interest rates in the second half of 2024.
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