Latino Jobs Report: Latino Unemployment Rate Drops Slightly to 8.6%

Abstract

The January jobs report continues to shed light on the slow economic recovery happening for workers – including Latinos - from the coronavirus’ joint economic and health crisis.

The economy only gained 49,000 jobs in January, the smallest single month increase since May 2020. Given the industries most impacted by closures and health concerns, Latinos continue to face an unemployment rate twice the pre-pandemic level at 6.3%. However, the unemployment number does not tell the whole story. While it did decrease since December 2020, data shows that less Latinos were in the workforce in January – and especially Latina’s have seen a decrease in participation.