October Unemployment Rate Tops 10 Percent

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RENEE MONTAGNE, host:

NPR's business starts with unemployment topping 10 percent.

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MONTAGNE: The economy lost another 190,000 jobs last month. The government came out with its October jobs report this morning and it shows the unemployment rate has jumped to 10.2 percent. That's the highest level since early 1983. Since the recession began nearly two years ago, more than eight million people have lost their jobs and are now looking for work. Most of the lost jobs were held by men, and among men unemployment is closer to 11 percent. For women it's about eight percent. The biggest job cuts last month were in construction and manufacturing, as well as retail.

In all this grim news, one industry gained jobs, as it has throughout the recession. That industry is health care.

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