By Sean Yoes
AFRO Staff Writer
The construction industry has been particularly hard hit by the foundering economy. (Courtesy Photo/publicradio.org)
(May 9, 2009) - Unemployment among blacks and men continued to climb in April, according to Labor Department data released Friday.
Male unemployment rose to 10 percent while black unemployment climbed to 15 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The overall U.S. unemployment rate jumped from 8.5 percent in March to 8.9 percent in April.
Since the start of the recession 16 months ago male unemployment has risen 5 percent and black unemployment has jumped 6.1 percent.
However, all major demographic groups have experienced large increases in unemployment according to the Department of Labor.
Female unemployment is at 7.6 percent, up 2.8 percent since the beginning of the recession. Unemployment among the Hispanic community is 11.3 percent and the unemployment rate among white workers is at 8.0 percent.
The biggest job losses continue to be in the areas of manufacturing and construction. There were 149,000 jobs lost in manufacturing and the construction industry saw a decline of 110,000 jobs in April.
According to the Labor Department, men have seen unemployment rates rise disproportionately because they dominate those industries.
Unemployment showed signs of slowing last month, with 539,000 jobs lost in April, compared to an average 707,000 per month in the first quarter of 2009.
Despite slowing in job loss and some moderate improvements in some areas of the economy, many economists believe the U.S. will see double-digit unemployment by the end of the year.
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