March jobs report stronger than anticipated; NAFCU expects strong recovery in 2021

by NAFCU Newsroom

The Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed non-farm payrolls increased 916,000 in March, with the unemployment rate dipping to 6 percent. NAFCU Chief Economist and Vice President of Research Curt Long analyzed the report in a new NAFCU Macro Data Flash report.

“The March jobs report topped expectations as the unemployment rate fell to 6 percent,” said Long. “Gains were broad, extending beyond the hard-hit restaurant and retail sectors. The employment-to-population ratio among prime age workers improved by even more than the unemployment rate, as participation picked up.

“Despite the positive news, there remain 4.2 million workers that have been sidelined for more than six months, and there was only modest improvement last month among the 3.4 million workers on permanent job loss,” Long added.

Of note, the February non-farm payrolls rate was revised up significantly to a gain of 468,000.

 

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