Today’s jobs numbers were disappointing, with the US staying above 8% unemployment for yet another month. But while the overall rate was unchanged at 8.2%, the unemployment rate for 18-24 year olds ticked up to 15.4% in June 2012, an increase from May’s 15.0% unemployment rate.
This increase comes despite seasonal adjustments by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Unadjusted, the unemployment rate for 18-24 year olds is up over a full point, to 16.3% in June up from 15.3% in May 2012.
“This summer is particularly tough on young people who are looking for jobs. Between May and June, the number of unemployed 18 to 24 year olds went up by 413,000,†said Derek Flowers, Executive Director of Crossroads Generation.
The economy is the top issue for young voters. Harvard’s Institute of Politics has found in their Spring 2012 survey that the economy and jobs were the top concern for voters 18-29, and also found that “creating jobs and lowering the unemployment rate†was the issue of greatest concern in issue match-up questions.
“These numbers are brutal, and are the big reason why young voters are up for grabs this year,†said Kristen Soltis, communications advisor to Crossroads Generation. “Young Americans want to know who is going to get them working again, and these data cast doubt on the President’s ability to prove he can.â€
