US Lost 539,000 Jobs in April — and That’s the Good News

The United States lost 539,000 jobs in April, the lowest job loss rate since October 2008.

But the nation’s unemployment rate rose to 8.9%. It was 8.5% in March.

The government hired 72,000 people in March, 60,000 of whom were hired for the 2010 census.

Private-sector jobs fell by 611,000 in April, slightly better than the 693,000 decline in March.

Meanwhile, employment rose in Canada, which added 35,900 jobs in April. So get out your mukluks.