The unemployment rate for Black Americans recently fell while those for all other racial demographics increased, according to a new report.
The Department of Labor released its April report last Friday. Although Black Americans are still recording the highest unemployed percentage in the U.S., the rate dipped from 6.4% in March to 5.6% last month.
The decrease goes against the nationwide trend. For all other demographics, there was an increase in the unemployment rate with white Americans recording a 0.1% increase from 3.4% to 3.5%.
Asian American workers and Hispanic American workers also recorded increases, increasing from 2.5% to 2.8% and 4.5% to 4.8%, respectively.
Prior to this month’s statistics, Black Americans marked a substantial increase in the unemployment rate, moving from 5.6% in February to 6.4% in March.
“Luckily, for many reasons, that came down. I think that speaks to last month really just being a statistical blip that happens because of small sample sizes, and having that come down now for April is very promising,” said the senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute, Elise Gould, per NBC. “And you’re seeing that happen for Black men and Black women alike.”
Although there was a decline in unemployment for Black Americans, the rate remains higher than the overall rate. In the U.S., approximately 3.9% of Americans are unemployed; the rate marked an increase from March, moving up from 3.8%.
Discriminatory practices in the hiring process are listed as contributing to the higher unemployment rates for Black Americans. Per a 2010 Demography report, when the economy struggles, economists have found that Black Americans are amongst the first to be laid off from their positions.
According to economist Christian Weller from the University of Massachusetts, there is also evidence that Black Americans are often overlooked for some positions and are reconsidered once the need for workers grows.
The total unemployment rate is reportedly close to the lowest it has been in 54 years, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
As of now approximately 6.5 million Americans are without a job. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about 175,000 jobs have been added with a majority of the job gains being added to health care, social assistance, warehousing and transportation.
“People are looking for more opportunities, not all of them are getting them, and that’s why the unemployment rate is rising,” said Gould.
