Unemployment in the United States fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Department of Labor announced on Friday. In April this percentage was still at 14.7 percent, the highest level since the Great Depression in the 1930s.
In absolute numbers, unemployment fell by 2.1 million to 21 million unemployed people in May. The number of employees sent home temporarily also fell, by 2.7 million. There are currently 15.3 million people at home.
In many economic sectors, the number of jobs increased in the past month. This was especially the case in the leisure and hospitality sector and the catering industry. Construction, health and education also saw increases in the number of new jobs in May. Employment continues to decline in government, mining and transport.
On Thursday, it was announced that 1.87 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, bringing the total number of claims over the past eleven weeks to 42.6 million.
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