Initial jobless claims in the United States rose by 6,000 from the previous week to 222,000 in the third week of April, aligning closely with market expectations and remaining near the two-month low recorded in the prior period.
US jobless claims edge higher as expected
The modest increase suggests that while there may be some fluctuations, the labor market continues to display remarkable resilience amid broader economic uncertainties. At the same time, continuing jobless claims—representing the number of people still receiving unemployment benefits—declined by 37,000 to 1,841,000 in the second week of April. This figure marks a fresh two-month low and came in significantly below the forecasted increase to 1,880,000, reinforcing the view that the demand for labor remains strong.
The latest data underscores the persistence of a historically tight labor market, building on the momentum of the most recent employment report, which showed solid job creation and steady wage growth. Employers appear to be holding on to workers despite lingering economic headwinds such as high interest rates and slowing consumer demand in some sectors.
Further details
In a narrower category that has recently drawn increased attention, initial unemployment claims filed under federal programs—specifically for government employees—edged up slightly by 87 to 629. While this number remains relatively low, it has come under scrutiny following a wave of firings at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). However, the true impact of those terminations may be somewhat delayed. According to internal reports, many of the employees let go by DOGE received severance packages that disqualify them from immediately applying for unemployment benefits. As such, analysts caution that the full effect of these government layoffs may not yet be reflected in the claims data, and a clearer picture could emerge in the coming weeks as severance periods expire.
Taken together, the figures continue to portray a labor market that, while showing minor signs of cooling, remains fundamentally strong. However, policymakers and economists alike are watching closely for any signs of deeper softening, especially as the Federal Reserve maintains a tight monetary stance to combat inflation.
