US Job Growth in August Misses Expectations Significantly

The US economy added significantly fewer jobs than expected in August, government data showed on Sept 5, in a closely watched report after weak data earlier prompted President Donald Trump to fire a key economic official.

- AFP

WASHINGTON -

Overall, the figures confirm a slowdown in the labour market of the world's biggest economy as businesses pull back on hiring while grappling with uncertainty sparked in large part by Mr Trump's fast-changing tariffs.

US job growth came in at 22,000 in August, down from July's 79,000 figure, said the Department of Labour. The jobless rate edged up from 4.2 per cent to 4.3 per cent, in line with analysts' expectations.

Job growth in June, earlier estimated at 14,000, was revised to a 13,000 decline, the report said. Hiring in July was adjusted slightly upwards.

US employment numbers are usually a key data point that analysts monitor, as these usually have some bearing on how the US Federal Reserve adjusts interest rates.

Sept 5's numbers are under particular scrutiny after a poor showing in July's data—released in August—prompted Mr Trump to claim the figures were "rigged" and fire the commissioner of labour statistics. US job growth missed expectations at the time, too, while revisions to hiring figures in recent months brought them to the weakest levels since the Covid-19 pandemic.