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US jobless rate rises to over 10% | US jobless rate rises to over 10% |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The unemployment rate in the US rose to 10.2% in October, which was its highest rate since April 1983, according to figures from the US Labor Department. | The unemployment rate in the US rose to 10.2% in October, which was its highest rate since April 1983, according to figures from the US Labor Department. |
It rose from September's figure of 9.8%. The economy lost 190,000 jobs in the month. | It rose from September's figure of 9.8%. The economy lost 190,000 jobs in the month. |
Since the recession began in December 2007, the number of unemployed has risen by 8.2 million, while the jobless rate has risen from 4.9%. | Since the recession began in December 2007, the number of unemployed has risen by 8.2 million, while the jobless rate has risen from 4.9%. |
President Barack Obama described the rise in unemployment as "sobering". | |
"I will not rest until all Americans who want work can find work," he added. | |
He also said he would be signing legislation to extend unemployment benefit, cut taxes for businesses and extend tax credits for home buyers. | |
Analysts were also downbeat after the worse-than-expected figures. | |
"It's pretty disappointing overall," said Richard Franulovich at Westpac. | "It's pretty disappointing overall," said Richard Franulovich at Westpac. |
"Job losses are not moderating as quickly as I had hoped despite those earlier indicators on jobs." | "Job losses are not moderating as quickly as I had hoped despite those earlier indicators on jobs." |
Dollar falls | Dollar falls |
The figures were particularly poor given Thursday's news of a fall in initial weekly jobless claims and the data earlier in the week that showed the US economy had grown by 3.5% between July and September. | The figures were particularly poor given Thursday's news of a fall in initial weekly jobless claims and the data earlier in the week that showed the US economy had grown by 3.5% between July and September. |
The number of unemployed people rose by 558,000 to 15.7 million. | The number of unemployed people rose by 558,000 to 15.7 million. |
But there was some better news with the revision of September's figure from a loss of 263,000 jobs to a loss of 219,000 jobs. | But there was some better news with the revision of September's figure from a loss of 263,000 jobs to a loss of 219,000 jobs. |
The dollar fell against both the euro and the yen following the release of the figures. | The dollar fell against both the euro and the yen following the release of the figures. |
Long-term unemployed | Long-term unemployed |
The sectors contributing the largest numbers of job losses in October were construction, manufacturing and retail. | The sectors contributing the largest numbers of job losses in October were construction, manufacturing and retail. |
It was the 22nd month in a row that the US economy had shed jobs, which is the longest run since records began 70 years ago. | It was the 22nd month in a row that the US economy had shed jobs, which is the longest run since records began 70 years ago. |
There is concern that rising unemployment could scupper the recovery by restricting consumer spending, which accounts for 70% of the economy. | There is concern that rising unemployment could scupper the recovery by restricting consumer spending, which accounts for 70% of the economy. |
The number of people who had been out of work for at least six months rose to a record 5.6 million, accounting for 35.6% of the jobless total. | The number of people who had been out of work for at least six months rose to a record 5.6 million, accounting for 35.6% of the jobless total. |