Washington, D.C. — A new analysis from the Center for American Progress looks into the underlying weakness in the labor market and widening disparities across age, race, and education levels that underscore the growing economic fallout from policies under President Donald Trump.
According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the economy added 178,000 jobs in March, mostly a rebound from the prior month, continuing a pattern of volatile job growth. Over the past year, job growth has slowed dramatically, averaging just 21,670 jobs per month, reflecting a labor market that is struggling to keep pace with population needs and workforce demand.
“The labor market is no longer delivering for American workers,” said Christian E. Weller, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and co-author of the analysis. “Weak job growth and elevated unemployment are being compounded by widening inequality. This is a cumulative impact of this administration’s chaotic and harmful economic policies.”
CAP’s analysis finds:
- Job growth has stalled over the past year. The economy added just 260,000 jobs over the past 12 months, a growth rate of 0.2 percent, signaling a labor market operating at stall speed.
- Manufacturing continues to decline despite tariffs. Since the administration’s “Liberation Day” tariffs in April 2025, manufacturing employment has fallen by 71,000 jobs, undercutting claims that tariffs would boost domestic production.
- Unemployment is elevated and unevenly distributed. Workers without a high school diploma face unemployment rates of 5.9 percent, compared with 4.7 percent for high school graduates, 3.6 percent for workers with some college, and 2.8 percent for college graduates.
- Younger workers are being hit hardest. Unemployment among 16- to 19-year-olds stood at 13.7 percent, far above the 3.7 percent rate for prime-age workers (ages 25 to 54). Workers ages 25 to 34 have seen particularly sharp increases in unemployment over the past six months.
- Racial disparities are widening. Black workers faced an unemployment rate of 7.1 percent, almost twice the 3.6 percent for white workers, with the increase in Black unemployment significantly outpacing that of white workers in recent months.
- Long-term unemployment is rising. The average duration of unemployment reached 25.3 weeks in March, with the 12-month average at 23.9 weeks, the highest level since October 2022.
Read the analysis: “Volatile Job Numbers Mask Stagnant Labor Market in the Trump Administration’s Economy: Analysis of the March 2026 Jobs Report“ by Christian E. Weller and Kennedy Andara
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Christian Unkenholz at [email protected].