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The number of job openings in the United States rose unexpectedly in April, supp

U.S. job openings unexpectedly rose in April with a sizeable increase and an increase in hiring, suggesting that demand for workers remains healthy despite heightened economic uncertainty. Job openings rose to 7.39 million from a revised 7.20 million in March, higher than expected 7.10 million, according to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increase in job openings was driven by private sectors such as professional and business services, health care and social assistance. While state and local education led to a decrease in total government job openings, federal government job openings rose. The increase in job openings, combined with steady hiring and low unemployment, supports the Federal Reserve's claim that the job market is in good shape. However, unemployed people are expected to take longer to find jobs, and economists expect the labor market to weaken more significantly in the coming months under the weight of President Trump's tariffs.