Story perspectives

U.S. Job Market Weakens: 181K Jobs Added in 2025

2/17/2026

Center

Job Market Decline

The U.S. job market slowed in 2025, with employers adding only 181,000 jobs, down from 1.46 million in 2024.
January 2025 layoffs rose to over 108,000, signaling renewed weakness in hiring.
Entry-level job postings declined 35% versus early 2023, a drop that hits young professionals hardest.
Job seekers report longer interview processes and greater competition.
About 1 million more people seek work than there are available jobs.

Right

Griffith Blames Government

Regular pay growth slowed to 4.2% in late 2025, while unemployment rose, especially among young people to 14%.
The unemployed-per-vacancy ratio hit a post-pandemic high, amid a 33% minimum wage rise over two years.
Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith blamed the Labour Government for a "jobless generation," citing high costs and regulatory burdens.
Economists warn another minimum wage hike scheduled for April may worsen young workers’ prospects.

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 a peak unemployment rate of 10% in October 2009. Despite recovery efforts, including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, young adults faced a 14% jobless rate in 2025, highlighting ongoing challenges in the job market and the need for effective policy changes.

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Job Market Decline

The U.S. job market slowed in 2025, with employers adding only 181,000 jobs, down from 1.46 million in 2024.
January 2025 layoffs rose to over 108,000, signaling renewed weakness in hiring.
Entry-level job postings declined 35% versus early 2023, a drop that hits young professionals hardest.
Job seekers report longer interview processes and greater competition.
About 1 million more people seek work than there are available jobs.

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