The United States economy experienced a slowdown in job growth in June 2026, adding 57,000 jobs according to the US Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) monthly employment report released on July 2. This marks a decline following several months of steady gains.

Labor force participation fell to 61.5 percent, the lowest level since March 2021. The broader U-6 unemployment rate, which includes discouraged workers and those working part-time for economic reasons, decreased slightly from 8.1 percent to 7.9 percent.

Notably, the leisure and hospitality sector shed 61,000 jobs just before the typically busy summer season. This decline occurred despite expectations that the sector would benefit from an influx of tourism driven by the ongoing World Cup.

Revisions to previous months' job reports showed May's job additions were lowered from 172,000 to 129,000, and April's figures were reduced by 31,000 to 148,000 jobs.

These figures highlight a mixed employment landscape in the US, with overall job growth slowing and particular challenges in sectors anticipated to gain from major events.

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