The Labor Department reported Friday that the national unemployment rate fell to 7.3 percent in August after businesses added 169,000 jobs, but the jobless rate for blacks actually ticked up to 13.0 percent.
“The unemployment rate in the African American community climbed from 12.6 percent in July to 13.0 percent in August, according to data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
At the same time, the number of African Americans 16 year or older who held jobs dropped from 16,318,000 in July to 16,108,000 in August–a decline of 210,000.
The labor force participation rate in the African American community dropped from 61.4 percent in July to 60.8 percent in August. The 60.8 percent African American labor force participation rate in August was the lowest that rate has been since July 1982.”
The report offers a mixed bag of economic news. While the unemployment rate did dip, 312,000 workers also dropped out of the workforce.
The federal government tabulates its statistics using those who are actively looking for a job. Those who have stopped searching for any number of reasons, including discouragement and retirement, are not counted.
SEE ALSO: Unemployment down to 7.3 percent in August; 169K jobs added
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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