BLS Revises US Job Growth Downward by 911,000 Positions

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revised U.S. job growth figures downward by 911,000 jobs for the 12 months ending in March 2025, revealing significantly weaker employment gains than initially reported. This adjustment, averaging 76,000 fewer jobs added per month, highlights a stagnating labor market that had already begun slowing before President Donald Trump’s latest tariffs and trade policies took full effect. The downward revision, one of the largest in recent years, affected most private sectors, particularly leisure and hospitality, professional services, and retail, while government jobs were also adjusted downward. The revisions reflect discrepancies between preliminary employer surveys and more comprehensive payroll tax data, with nonresponse and reporting errors cited as key factors. President Trump, who fired BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer following disappointing employment reports, has criticized the agency’s methods and launched an inquiry into its data collection processes amid concerns over data reliability. These revised labor figures may influence Federal Reserve decisions on interest rates, as the slower job growth contrasts with earlier reports of a resilient economy and rising inflation.