The unemployment rate among Hispanics in the country rose to 4.8% in April, three tenths higher than the previous month. With this percentage, it stood above the 3.9% corresponding to the general population. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of unemployed Hispanics rose from 1.45 million in March to 1.6 million in April, and the labor force participation rate rose from 66.8% in March to 67.3% in April.
As for the unemployment rate among Hispanic men aged 20 and over, the BLS noted that the percentage jumped seven tenths from 3.7% in March to 4.4% in April, with 654 unemployed in March and 766 in April. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate among Latina women aged 20 and over rose from 4.5% to 4.6%, with 612 unemployed in March and 623 in April, according to the report.
The government estimated that the Hispanic workforce totaled about 33.8 million people in April compared to 32.4 million the previous month.
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In April, the country’s economy added 175,000 new jobs, below the 315,000 created in March and the 243,000 expected by economists, as well as below the monthly average of 224,000 recorded over the last 12 months.
The report released by the statistics office highlighted that overall, average worker earnings rose 0.2% in April compared to March, and stood at $34.75 per hour, and have increased by 3.9% over the year.
Hispanic Labor Force Participation Rate
The overall labor force participation rate in April remained at 62.7%, while that of Hispanics saw a slight increase, from 66.8% in March to 67.3% in April.
April also saw an increase in employment in the healthcare sector, with 56,000 new jobs; social assistance, with an addition of 31,000 jobs, and transportation and warehousing, which added 22,000 positions.
The BLS reported that the average number of initial claims for unemployment benefits in the four weeks to April 20 was 210,000, continuing a trend reflecting a relatively stable economy.
The unemployment data came after the Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates unchanged, in the range of 5.25% to 5.5%, their highest level since 2001.
The institution that conducts monetary policy in the country justified its decision due to the lack of progress in recent months in reducing inflation, which, according to the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index, reached 2.7% year-on-year in March.
States with the largest number of Hispanics
California, Texas, and Florida are the states with the largest number of Hispanic community members. They are followed by New York, Arizona, New Jersey, Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Washington, and New Mexico.
While in these states the community already constitutes a majority, in others, their presence continues to grow, thus reshaping the cultural and labor landscape.
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