US economy adds 187,000 jobs, unemployment higher than expected

The US economy added more jobs than expected in August. The US economic data were revised for the last two months, signaling slow economy.

Nonfarm payrolls grew by a seasonally adjusted 187,000 for the month, above the estimate for 170,000, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.

June data was revised lower by 80,000 to 105,000, making that the smallest monthly gain since December 2020.

The average workweek for all employees on US private nonfarm payrolls edged up by 0.1 hour to 34.4 hours in August.

However, the unemployment rate rose to 3.8% in August, up significantly from 3.5% July, compared to forecasts that the rate will remain unchanged.