US Adds 64,000 Jobs in November, Unemployment Hits 4.6%

The United States economy added 64,000 jobs in November, according to data released Tuesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but the unemployment rate rose to 4.6 percent, its highest level since September 2021. The report, delayed by a 43-day federal government shutdown that disrupted data collection, also revealed a net loss of 105,000 jobs in October, primarily from federal employment cuts.

The November job gains exceeded economists' expectations of around 50,000 and marked a rebound from October's decline, which stemmed largely from 162,000 federal workers leaving payrolls after accepting deferred resignations at the end of September. In November, federal employment fell by an additional 6,000 jobs, while state governments added 3,000. Private sector employment showed resilience, with a three-month average gain of 75,000 jobs, though overall hiring has slowed compared to earlier in the year.

Key sectors drove the November increases. Health care added 46,000 jobs, surpassing the average monthly gain of 39,000 over the past year. Construction contributed 28,000 jobs, in line with recent trends, and social assistance added 18,000. However, losses occurred in other areas:...