US labour market sheds jobs in July as labour force participation slumps
The US labor market experienced a net loss of 23,000 jobs in July, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Significant declines were observed in the education, government, and retail sectors. The unemployment rate decreased to 4.1 percent, but this was partly due to a slump in labor force participation, which fell to 61.4 percent, its lowest in five years. The government sector saw the largest losses, with 53,000 jobs cut, primarily in local education. Retail trade lost 19,000 jobs, and leisure and hospitality shed 40,000 jobs. Healthcare was a bright spot, adding 22,000 jobs.