The unemployment rate among U.S. Latinos dropped in May, but the number of Latinos not working increased.

U.S. Latino Jobs Report

On Friday morning, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revealed the May employment numbers, showing the unemployment rate slipped from April's 6.1 percent to 5.6 percent. The latest unemployment percentage is the same rate as March's 5.6 percent.

The number of Latinos unemployed, representing people "those who are available to work, make an effort to find a job, or expect to be called back from a layoff but are not working," according to the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), fell from April's 1.64 million to May's estimate of 1.48 million Latinos.

An important number to look within these jobs reports is the "not in the labor force" data. Americans who are "not in the labor force" are those who are neither employed or unemployed and not seeking a job. Among Latinos, 14 million are not in the labor force, an increase from April's estimate of 13.9 million.

The number of Latinos who are in the civilian labor force dipped from 26.6 million in April to May's 26.5 million.

Overall Jobs Report & Response

Taking into account all Americans, of all ethnicities, the U.S. unemployment rate also dropped from 5 percent in April to May's 4.7 percent -- the lowest level since November 2007. According to BLS Commissioner Erica Groshen, 38,000 jobs were added in May, which apparently did not meet expectations from experts and pundits.

Jason Furman, chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, acknowledged that the number of new jobs were "considerably below both expectations and the pace of growth in recent months, with volatility in monthly data and a temporary strike in the telecommunications industry contributing to the disappointingly low number."

Furman noted U.S. businesses have added 14.5 million jobs during 75 straight months of private-sector job growth.

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said the May jobs report was "devastating" and said it's an indication the country needs to move away from President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton's policies.

"Just this week President Obama was trying to convince Americans they've never had it so good, but on his watch wages have remained stagnant, economic growth has slowed to a crawl, and the middle class has continued to shrink," said Priebus in a statement on Friday morning. "By running on four more years of Obamanomics, Hillary Clinton is guaranteeing that struggling Americans will never get ahead."

Priebus also utilized the jobs report to mention Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's credentials.

"Donald Trump is a successful businessman who knows what it takes to create jobs and get our economy back on track. As this report makes clear, we need that kind of thinking now more than ever in the White House," Priebus said.

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

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