While many U.S. employers have increased their hiring, a majority of 25 to 34-year olds have been excluded.
The Associated Press reported that 25 to 34-year-old people-many of whom hold college and advanced degrees-are the future of the U.S. economy. But according to the government's July employment report released Friday, hiring failed to keep up with this group's population growth.
The number of citizens in this age range with jobs fell to 75.6 percent last month, a decrease from 76 percent in February. Roughly 80 percent of this group was employed before the recession.
AP says this group of workers should be renting apartments, buying homes and driving economic growth. But without enough jobs, they are more likely to live in their parents' basement.
Overall, the unemployment rate went up to 6.2 percent in July, from 6.1 percent.
During the six straight months that have peaked at 200,000 job gains, more people looked for work, AP reported. According to the Labor Department's survey of households, 131,000 jobs were added, while an additional 329,000 people were looking for employment.
According to AP, the results of the Labor Department's survey determine the unemployment rate. Therefore, the unemployment rate rose because the government counts people without jobs as unemployed only if they are seeking work.
AP says the unemployment rate rose for women, blacks, high school grads and people with some college experience. However, AP says the overall trend shows the unemployment rate is dropping for almost everyone.
