July Unemployment on the Rise

The unemployment rate in July rose to 5.7 percent, the highest in four years, the U.S. Department of Labor reports. Nonfarm payroll employment
declined 51,000.

Employment continued to fall in construction, manufacturing, and several service-providing industries, while health care and mining continued to add jobs.  Average hourly earnings rose by 6 cents, or 0.3 percent, over the month.

Both the number of unemployed persons (8.8 million) and the unemployment rate (5.7 percent) rose in July.  Over the past 12 months, the number of unemployed persons has increased by 1.6 million, and the unemployment rate has risen by 1.0 percentage point.