WASHINGTON - The US jobless rate picked up again in November, hovering at its highest level in four years, official data showed in a report underscoring a labor market cooldown in the world's biggest economy.
The report, delayed by a lengthy government shutdown, also indicated that the US economy lost 105,000 jobs in October.
Hiring picked up again in November with a gain of 64,000 jobs, but this was still a slower pace than before, according to the Labor Department figures.
"Employment rose in health care and construction in November, while (the) federal government continued to lose jobs," the department said.
There was a sharp decline of 162,000 government jobs in October, "as some federal employees who accepted a deferred resignation offer came off federal payrolls," the report added.
In November, unemployment climbed to 4.6 percent from 4.4 percent in September. It is the highest rate since September 2021.
There was no October jobless rate as officials were unable to retroactively collect data after the shutdown, which lasted until November 12.
The figures will be closely scrutinised for their potential bearing on US interest rates.
The Federal Reserve has cut rates three times in a row this year as employment weakened, but hinted that the bar is likely higher for further cuts.
A rapidly deteriorating jobs market could nudge the central bank to lower rates more to boost the economy, despite some policymakers' worries that higher inflation could become persistent.
While President Donald Trump's tariffs have not sparked a broad inflation surge, firms say they have caused business costs to grow and fueled uncertainty.
Trump's chief economic adviser Kevin Hassett told reporters Tuesday that government workers who took buyouts "are staying in the labour force and looking for work."
He said he expects "that they'll be very successful with it."