US unemployment rate falls to four-year low at 7.5 per cent

The US unemployment rate has dropped to a four-year low of 7.5 per cent, as the economy added 165,000 jobs in April, latest official figures released today said.
Releasing its employment figures for April, the Department of Labour's Bureau of Labour Statistics said employers added 138,000 jobs in March and 332,000 in February.
"Non-farm payroll employment rose by 165,000 in April, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 7.5 per cent. Over the prior 12 months, job gains averaged 169,000 per month. In April, employment grew in professional and business services, food services and drinking places, retail trade, and health care," said Erica L Groshen, Commissioner, Bureau of Labour Statistics.

According to the report the unemployment rate, at 7.5 per cent, changed little in April but has declined by 0.4 percentage point since January.
The number of unemployed persons, at 11.7 million, was also little changed over the month; however, unemployment has decreased by 673,000 since January, it said.