TED: The Economics Daily

Unemployment rates were higher in June 2025 than a year earlier in 217 of the 387 metropolitan areas, lower in 147 areas, and unchanged in 23 areas. A total of 27 areas had jobless rates of less than 3.0 percent and 9 areas had rates of at least 8.0 percent. The national unemployment rate in June was 4.4 percent, not seasonally adjusted, little changed from a year earlier.

The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) increased by 179,000 to 1.8 million in July and is up by 283,000 over the year.

Labor productivity in the nonfarm business sector increased 2.4 percent in second quarter 2025, following a decrease of 1.8 percent in the prior quarter. The rise in labor productivity in second quarter 2025 resulted from a 3.0-percent increase in output combined with a 1.3-percent increase in hours worked.

In July 2025, health care added 55,000 jobs, above the average monthly gain of 42,000 over the prior 12 months. Over the month, job gains occurred in ambulatory health care services (+34,000) and hospitals (+16,000). Employment in nursing and residential care facilities continued to trend up (+6,000).