Hard to reconcile "more people working" (290,000 jobs added) with ".2% rise in unemployment rate," isn't it!
There's a good, clear explanation from Marketplace. The apparent anomaly comes from how the unemployment stats are determined. The most important thing to remember is that only people who are looking for jobs and don't find one get included.
Given up? Sitting at home hoping the whole thing will be over soon? You're not counted.
When the nation is feeling more optimistic (April) more people get up off their sofas and go looking for jobs. 290,000 find jobs. Those who don't find jobs now get counted and -- because they applied for work for the first time in a while-- they add to the unemployment rate. Get it?
