Major Decrease in Black and Latino Unemployment Rates Celebrated by Mayor Adams

On Tuesday, July 23rd, New York City Mayor Eric Adams celebrated significant decreases in Black and Latino unemployment since the beginning of his administration. Data revealed that from January 1, 2022, to July 1, 2024, Black unemployment in New York City dropped from 10.7% to 7.3%, a 31.7% decrease. Latino unemployment saw a similar reduction, falling from 9.1% to 6.5%, marking a 28.6% decrease.

Mayor Adams stated, “The data is clear: New York City isn’t just coming back, we’re back. We have more jobs and more small businesses than ever before in our city’s history, and Black and Latino unemployment are both approximately 30 percent lower than when we came into office.” He emphasized the administration’s commitment to creating opportunities for all New Yorkers.

Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer highlighted the city’s economic strength, noting, “New York City’s economy is strong and growing stronger each month, with June setting historic highs for total jobs, private-sector jobs, labor force participation, and the lowest unemployment rate since mid-2022.” Torres-Springer emphasized the administration’s focus on building an equitable, resilient, and inclusive economy.

Andrew Kimball, President and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), echoed these sentiments, noting the administration’s achievements. “Three months into office, Mayor Adams outlined a jobs blueprint to guide the city’s recovery while building a more resilient, equitable economy. The results speak for themselves: a record number of private-sector and total jobs, a record workforce participation rate, and a record number of small businesses.”

The Adams administration has invested significantly in creating “good, family-sustaining jobs.” Initiatives include transformative projects across all five boroughs, expected to generate more than $100 billion in long-term economic impact and create tens of thousands of job opportunities. 

In addition, the administration has launched “Jobs NYC” and “Run This Town,” campaigns designed to reduce economic barriers and deliver workforce development services. These initiatives aim to reduce disparities in employment among Black, Latino, and white communities. Mayor Adams also announced the city’s first-ever community hiring effort, leveraging over $1.2 billion in city contracts to create job opportunities for underserved New Yorkers.