US economy adds higher-than-expected jobs in March

The healthcare sector posts the biggest job gains, with 76,000 positions

The US economy added higher-than-forecast jobs in March, signaling resilience in the labor market despite concerns that the Middle East conflict could weigh on hiring, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data showed.

The strong reading follows a weak February, which was impacted by healthcare strikes and temporary factors such as adverse weather, suggesting a rebound in hiring as those effects faded.

The healthcare sector posted the biggest job gains, with 76,000 additions, alongside construction and transportation and warehousing, while government employment continued to decline.

BLS revised February data down by 41,000 jobs, after earlier figures showed a loss of 92,000 jobs, while January payrolls were revised up by 34,000 to 160,000.