Commissioner's Statement on the Employment Situation — 2005-08-05

Advance copies of this statement are made available to the press under lock-up conditions with the explicit understanding that the data are embargoed until 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 207,000 in July, and the unemployment rate held at 5.0 percent. Over the year, payroll employment has increased by 2.2 million, of which 2.0 million was in the private sector. In July, job gains occurred in many service-providing industries. Retail trade employment grew by 50,000 in July, with gains widespread among the component industries. Employment in retail trade has increased by 352,000 since its recent low in June 2003. In July, employment rose in clothing and clothing accessories stores and in building material and garden supply stores. Automobile dealers also added jobs, as special incentives to buyers raised sales volume. Employment in food services and drinking places increased by 30,000 over the month and has expanded by 262,000 since July 2004.