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2025 Job Growth Slows to Weakest Since Pandemic

1/11/2026

38 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. labor market ended 2025 with 50,000 jobs added in December, the weakest year since the pandemic.
For 2025, total job growth reached 584,000, below prior years, while the unemployment rate fell to 4.4% due to Bureau of Labor Statistics adjustments.
Job losses occurred in manufacturing and retail.
Healthcare and social assistance added jobs.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies contributed to hiring hesitancy, creating a "hiring recession."

History

Historical Context

The Great Recession, which officially lasted from December 2007 to June 2009, resulted in the loss of approximately 8.7 million jobs and an unemployment peak of 10% in October 2009. Despite recovery efforts like the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009, job growth remained sluggish. Today, the labor market faces renewed challenges, with only 50,000 jobs added in December 2025 amid ongoing economic instability.

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Story summary

The U.S. labor market ended 2025 with 50,000 jobs added in December, the weakest year since the pandemic.
For 2025, total job growth reached 584,000, below prior years, while the unemployment rate fell to 4.4% due to Bureau of Labor Statistics adjustments.
Job losses occurred in manufacturing and retail.
Healthcare and social assistance added jobs.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies contributed to hiring hesitancy, creating a "hiring recession."

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