Washington - The US unemployment rate fell slightly to 5 per cent in April on a loss of 20,000 jobs during the month, well below the 240,000 total jobs shed by the economy in the first three months of the year, the Labour Department said Friday.

The better-than-expected labour report comes after growth figures Thursday showed the economy expanded by 0.6 per cent in the first quarter, easing fears of a recession in the United States.

The Labour Department said manufacturing, construction and retail sectors continued to lose workers, while increases were noted in health and technology.

Unemployment stood at 5.1 per cent in March. (dpa)