The unemployment rate in the world’s largest economy, the US has risen for the first time in almost a year in the month of May as only about 69,000 jobs were added in the month, according to the latest figures released by the government.

The weak data from the employment market is a severe blow to the Barack Obama's reelection campaign. It indicates that the expected recovery in the jab market has been disrupted and the government might consider a new economic stimulus package for the economy.

The rise in jobs was the smallest since May 2011, when just 54,000 jobs were added to the country’s workforce. The figure of new jobs is less than half of what was expected by the analysts. The unemployment rate in the US has now risen to 8.2 percent compared to an expected 8.1 percent.

The rate has risen for the first time since June 2011, when it climbed to 9.1 percent from 9.0 percent. Analysts say that the figures show that the economy is in a much weaker state than indicated by other economic data.

The figures released just five months ahead of the November 6 presidential election is likely to have a strong impact on the president's reelection campaign.