The US economy created lower-than-expected jobs in September, and the unemployment rate unexpectedly rose, according to new government figures.
Nonfarm payrolls increased by 156,000 new jobs last month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Friday. Economists had predicted between 170,000 and 176,000 new jobs for September.
The monthly average job growth of 178,000 in 2016 is significantly lower than the 229,000 per month created in 2015.
The unemployment rate also rose slightly, from 4.9 to 5 percent, and the number of unemployed people was at 7.9 million, reflecting a small increase.
The overall number of people unemployed for less than a month increased by 284,000 to 2.6 million during September.
The labor participation rate, increased to 62.9 percent, from 62.8 percent, which is near the lowest level in more than three decades.
Americans continue to cite the economy and dissatisfaction with government of the United States as the most important problems…