FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 7, 2013
Contact
Rae Roca
rae.roca@younginvincibles.org
202.534.3564

Long Summer Ahead for Young Adults: May Jobs Report Wipes Out Gains For Young Americans

[WASHINGTON, DC] — The economy added 175,000 jobs in May 2013 while the national unemployment rate rose from 7.5 percent to 7.6 percent. For 18 to 29 year-olds, the unemployment rate rose from 11.1 percent in April 2013 to 11.6 percent in May 2013 (not seasonally adjusted). For younger workers ages 16 to 24, the unemployment rate rose from 16.1 percent in April 2013 to 16.3 percent in May 2013 (seasonally adjusted).

Rory O’Sullivan, Policy Director at Young Invincibles, said, “Despite the added jobs and for the economy as a whole, the gains have failed to benefit young Americans. With many younger adults entering the workforce as school lets out, it could be a long summer for our generation. Missing out on early work experience like a summer job can lead to lower wages and less work later on in life, leaving a lasting impact on the entire country. ”

Here is more information on how different populations of young people fared in May 2013:

• The unemployment rate for Black young adults ages 16 to 24 in May is 28.2 percent compared to 24.9 percent last month (not seasonally adjusted).

• The unemployment rate for young Latinos ages 16 to 24 in May is 16.6 percent – the same as last month (not seasonally adjusted).

• The unemployment rate for young men ages 16 to 24 in May is 18.0 percent compared to 17.1 percent last month (seasonally adjusted).

• The unemployment rate for young women ages 16 to 24 in May is 14.6 percent, compared to 15.0 percent last month (seasonally adjusted).

• Overall youth unemployment for 18 to 29 year-olds is 11.6 percent compared to 12.2 percent a year ago in May 2012 (not seasonally adjusted).

Young Invincibles is currently in the middle of a Get The Facts national tour to highlight youth-focused job training and workforce programs that put our generation back to work. To coincide with the tour, Young Invincibles is releasing 50 state-specific reports to educate the public about how young adults are faring economically across the country.

Learn more about the “Get The Facts” Campaign at: jobs.younginvincibles.org.

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Young Invincibles is a national organization committed to amplifying the voices of young Americans, ages 18 to 34, and expanding economic opportunity for our generation. Young Invincibles ensures that young Americans are represented in today’s most pressing societal debates through cutting-edge policy research and analysis, and innovative campaigns designed to educate, inform and mobilize our generation to change the status quo.