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yesterday

Black Unemployment Jumps to 7.5% as Job Growth Stalls

Economists link the spike to sweeping federal workforce reductions driven by DOGE actions that disproportionately hit Black workers.

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Job seekers wait in line to speak with representatives from the Universal Orlando Resort during a job fair at the Orange County Fairgrounds, Thursday, July 10, 2025 in Orlando, Florida.
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Overview

  • The August BLS report showed the U.S. added 22,000 jobs and the jobless rate rose to 4.3%, with unemployed workers now outnumbering job openings for the first time since 2021.
  • Black unemployment climbed to 7.5%, up from 6% in May and the highest since 2021, while white unemployment held at 3.7%, Asian at 3.6%, and Hispanic at 5.3%.
  • Nearly 200,000 federal employees have departed under civil service cuts, and Black workers—who comprise 18.6% of the federal workforce—have faced outsized losses.
  • Challenger, Gray & Christmas reports DOGE-related changes were the most cited reason for job-cut announcements this year, accounting for 292,279 planned layoffs.
  • Economists warn the concentrated rise among Black workers often precedes broader downturns, while the White House defends its agenda and highlights HBCU initiatives and tax relief on tips.