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Jobless Rates Steady in June as World Cup Boosts Some Local Economies
State unemployment rates in June were little changed in a month in which some hoped for a boost from World Cup-related tourism and socializing. That failed to materialize nationally, but some states saw a positive effect from fans. Texas saw…
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Key points
- State unemployment rates held steady in June, with no significant national boost from the World Cup.
- Texas saw job growth in hospitality, while states like New York and New Jersey benefited from increased tourism spending.
- Virginia faces potential job losses due to a weak hiring environment affecting local economies.
NewsWK — In June, state unemployment rates across the United States remained largely stable, with limited effects from the Men’s World Cup. While the anticipated surge in hospitality jobs did not extend nationwide, certain states experienced positive impacts from increased tourism and fan engagement.
Texas notably reported an increase in jobs, particularly in hospitality, following World Cup matches held in Houston. According to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, both New York and New Jersey saw increases in hotel revenues and consumer spending in bars and restaurants due to the influx of soccer fans.
In Seattle, Washington, local bars and restaurants benefited from heightened activity related to both soccer and basketball events in June. Anneliese Vance-Sherman, the state’s chief labor economist, described this uptick as “an encouraging start to the summer.” However, she also noted that private sector jobs helped offset thousands of government job losses.
Nationally, unemployment rates ranged from around 2% in North Dakota and South Dakota to over 5% in several states, including California, Connecticut, and Illinois. This data is based on a Bureau of Labor Statistics report released recently.
Overall, job growth was minimal, with Minnesota and New Hampshire being the only other states, besides Texas, to witness significant increases in employment for the month. Texas added 10,300 hospitality jobs, accounting for a notable portion of its monthly job growth.
Looking ahead, Virginia is projected to face job losses due to a slow hiring environment, which has been impacting the state’s ability to attract young talent amid a national trend of weak job creation. According to a report from the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, Virginia may lose 17,800 jobs this year, contributing to an overall trend of job stagnation.
Based on reporting by Tim Henderson originally published by Stateline. Read the original story.
