WASHINGTON (CN) - The U.S. economy lost 125,000 jobs in June and the unemployment rate fell to 9.5 percent, according to data released Friday by the Department of Labor.
The decrease is largely attributed to the loss of 225,000 temporary jobs related to Census 2010, which had bolstered job numbers over the past few months.
The 9.5 percent unemployment rate reflects a slight decrease from 9.7 percent nationwide unemployment in May.
The total number of jobless Americans is 14.6 million.
The number of people who have remained jobless for more than six months is 6.8 million people, close to half of the total unemployed.
The private sector added 83,000 jobs in June, as compared to 33,000 in May. The private sector added 593,000 jobs during the first half of the year but the total number of jobs is still 7.8 million less than it was in December 2007.
The biggest job gains last month were in the leisure and hospitality industry, which added 28,000 jobs. Jobs in the temporary health services industry increased by 21,000, and transportation and warehouse jobs increased by 15,000.
The construction industry lost 22,000 jobs in June.
Subscribe to Closing Arguments
Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.