Black unemployment rate rises to 7% in September

The unemployment rate for Black Americans rose from 6% to 7% in September, marking the fastest one-month increase since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This rise occurred even as unemployment rates for White, Hispanic, and Asian workers declined during the same period.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the increase was particularly pronounced among Black women, whose jobless rate climbed from 5.9% to 7.3%. The unemployment rate for Black men also rose from 6.2% to 6.7%, while the rate for young Black workers increased from 11.5% to 14.4%.

Economists and political figures have attributed these shifts to various factors, including federal job cuts and changes in economic policy. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley has called for federal action and a job guarantee to address the crisis, specifically highlighting the impact on Black women.

In response to the data, White House Director of the National Economic Council Kevin Hassett stated that the rise is “definitely a cause for concern” and noted that officials would study the numbers closely, suggesting that statistical volatility may play a role in the sharp spike.