US unemployment rises to 4.4% in September; 119,000 jobs added despite government shutdown

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics data released on 20 November 2025 showed how the unemployment rates in the US economy rose to hit 4.4% in September 2025, while the country added 119,000 jobs despite the federal government shutdown, according to the official announcement.

“Total nonfarm payroll employment edged up by 119,000 in September but has shown little change since April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The unemployment rate, at 4.4%, changed little in September,” according to the official data.

The data released on 20 November 2025 was originally set to be released on 3 October 2025. However, the US jobs data release was shelved due to the US federal government shutdown.

The jobs data for October 2025 will be released on 16 December 2025 as part of a full report covering the November data, as per the official announcement on Wednesday.

In a social media post on X, the US Department of Labor said that the jobs report more than doubled the expectations as the authority highlighting the progress of the US economy under the Trump administration.

“Under @POTUS’ leadership, we’re making progress to restore the American Dream and unleash historic prosperity for our workers,” they said.

Unemployment report snapshot

The September 2025 job data highlighted that the employment trend in the US economy continued to grow opportunities rising in the healthcare, food services and drinking places, and social assistance sectors.

While the economy recorded job losses in the transportation and warehousing and federal government segments.

The US unemployment rate rose to 4.4% with the number of unemployed people at 7.6 million as of the month ended September 2025, compared to the 4.1% jobless rate with 6.9 million people in the same period a year ago.

The data further showed that the jobless rate in the US comprises 4.2% adult women and 4.4% Asians, increased in September.

The labor force participation rate for September stood at 62.4% which has changed marginally on a month-on-month (MoM) basis, and over the year-on-year basis.

US job growth

The US economy added 119,000 jobs in September 2025, despite the US federal government shutdown, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data released on 20 November 2025.

According to an NBC News report ahead of the labour data release, the analysts predicted a 50,000 job growth in the month as the cost-of-living issues and reduced consumer spending hampered the hiring plans of companies.

“In September, employment continued to trend up in health care, food services and drinking places, and social assistance. Job losses occurred in transportation and warehousing and in federal government,” said the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The data further mentioned that the healthcare sector added 43,000 jobs, nearly the same average monthly gain of 42,000 over the last 12-month period. The employment gains were recorded in ambulatory health care services of 23,000 jobs and hospitals at 16,000 jobs, as per the official data.