National unemployment rate unchanged in July

The national unemployment rate remained unchanged in July at 9.5 percent, according to statistics released Aug. 6 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Neither the unemployment rate nor the number of unemployed persons, 14.6 million, changed during the month, according to the BLS news release.

According to the release, the unemployment rate among the major worker groups showed little or no change: 9.7 percent for adult men, 7.9 percent for adult women, 26.1 percent for teenagers, 8.6 percent for whites, 15.6 percent for blacks, 12.1 percent for Hispanics and 8.2 percent for Asians.

Though total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 131,000 in July, the number reflects the departure of 143,000 temporary workers hired for census work, the release said.

Survey data showed:

• Health care employment increased by 27,000 jobs;
• Manufacturing employment increased by 36,000 jobs;
• Transporation and warehousing employment increased by 12,000 jobs;
• Mining employment increased by 7,000 jobs;
• Professional and business services employment showed little change;
• Financial activities employment decreased by 17,000 jobs;
• Construction employment showed little change; and
• Government employment decreased by 202,000 jobs, reflecting the census numbers.

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