FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 2, 2015

Contact: Sarah Lovenheim, sarah.lovenheim@younginvincibles.org

[WASHINGTON] – While the economy added 223,000 jobs last month, the national unemployment rate dropped from 5.5 percent in May to 5.3 percent in June. However, there may be seasonal effects underway, as summer can mark a period of labor force transition.

The unemployment rate for 18- to 34-year-olds dipped slightly, from 7.8 percent in May to 7.7 percent in June, yet racial disparities in the job market widened. The unemployment rate for young black adults jumped from 14.6 percent in May to 15.4 percent in June.

The unemployment rate for young black adults remains disproportionately high.

A Young Invincibles report finds lawmakers can work to narrow racial disparities that persist in the job market by making college more accessible and affordable. Boosting investment in the Pell Grant, for example, could go a long way toward tackling disparities that persist in the economy.

Here are more details on how different populations of young people fared in June 2015:

– The unemployment rate for black/African American young adults ages 18 to 34 is 15.4 percent (not seasonally adjusted) in June, up from 14.6 percent in May.

– The unemployment rate for Hispanic/Latino young adults ages 18 to 34 is 9.3 percent (not seasonally adjusted) in June, up from 8.5 percent in May.

– The unemployment rate for Asian-Pacific Islander young adults ages 18 to 34 is 5.7 percent (not seasonally adjusted) in June, up from 5.1 percent in May.

– The unemployment rate for white young adults ages 18 to 34 is 6.9 percent (not seasonally adjusted) in June, up from 6.3 percent in May.