Fri, 09 Jan 2026

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 US job creation in 2025 slows to weakest since Covid

Employment growth for the world's largest economy eased significantly last year.
The US economy added only 50,000 jobs in December, falling short of expectations. This marked a weak year for employment growth, with an average of just 49,000 new roles created per month in 2025, down from 168,000 in the previous year. Despite a modest increase, the unemployment rate dropped to 4.4% in December. The sectors that reported losses last month were retailers and manufacturers, while healthcare employers, bars, and restaurants hired more staff. The Labor Department also revised its estimates for October and November, showing that there were 76,000 fewer new positions created than previously thought. The US Federal Reserve has responded to the slowdown by cutting interest rates three times since September, with the key lending rate now at around 3.6%, a three-year low. However, policymakers are divided on how much lower borrowing costs should go, and the latest figures will do little to resolve these debates. Economists say that the data confirms the labor market is no longer favoring job seekers, but also notes that until the data provides a clearer direction, the Federal Reserve's decision-making process remains uncertain.
  >>