data showed on Friday, but unemployment rose to the highest level since early 2022 as the economy shows signs of cooling.added 187,000 jobs in August, according to the Labor Department, but wage growth slipped and the jobless rate climbed to 3.8 percent.
Policymakers have been struggling to lower demand and rein in stubborn inflation, with the Federal Reserve lifting interest rates rapidly -- recently bringing them to the highest level in more than two decades.But the central bank has also vowed to be data-dependent in its upcoming decisions. While the jobless rate has risen, this came on the back of a 0.2 percentage point increase in the labor force participation rate -- after being flat since March.with no prior work experience, edged up as well, according to Friday's report.