• The U.S. added 64,000 jobs in November, surpassing forecasts.
• Unemployment rate rose to 4.6%, its highest since 2021.
• October saw a loss of 105,000 jobs due to federal workforce reductions.
• Sectors like healthcare and construction experienced job gains; manufacturing continued to struggle.
• The labor market's slowdown reflects ongoing economic uncertainty influenced by tariffs and immigration policies.

The U.S. job market showed signs of resilience as employers added 64,000 jobs in November, exceeding expectations. However, this growth comes alongside a rise in the unemployment rate to 4.6%, marking the highest level since 2021, according to the Labor Department's newly released data following a government shutdown that delayed previous reports. This uptick in unemployment follows a contraction of 105,000 jobs in October, primarily due to a significant reduction in the federal workforce resulting from the Trump administration's cost-cutting measures, which has left many questioning the health of the labor market, according to Reuters and KPBS.

The reported job gain in November comes after a turbulent time for the labor market, largely influenced by recent policy shifts. Economists had predicted a modest growth of around 40,000 jobs, indicating that the actual numbers were better than expected. The latest report highlighted that the October job losses were heavily impacted by 162,000 federal workers departing as part of voluntary buyouts, according to Los Angeles Times and BBC.

Despite the mixed results, sectors like healthcare and construction contributed positively, adding 46,000 and 28,000 jobs respectively. However, the manufacturing sector showed continued weakness, losing 5,000 jobs, alongside losses in transportation and warehousing, which shed 18,000 jobs. The fluctuating job numbers reveal a critical trend where businesses are reluctant to hire amid economic uncertainty tied to tariffs and reduced immigration, affecting labor supply and demand, as noted by India Times and Al Jazeera.

A preliminary assessment of the labor market indicates the impact of ongoing economic policies on job creation and retention. Fed officials have expressed concerns about slowing job growth and its implications for future interest rate decisions. The Federal Reserve recently cut the benchmark interest rate as a measure to stimulate the economy, but opinions remain divided among policymakers regarding further cuts in light of persistent inflation pressures and the sluggish labor market’s performance, as articulated in reports from Reuters, NPR, and CBS News.