The unemployment rate in the United States decreased by a tenth in January, standing at 4 percent, with the generation of 143 thousand new jobs, according to data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Although job generation was lower than the previous month and also below analysts' expectations, the moderate contraction of the unemployment rate in recent months remains, indicating the strength of the U.S. labor market.
Regarding the sectors that drove job creation, notable ones include healthcare with 44 thousand new jobs, retail trade with 34 thousand, government jobs with 32 thousand, and social assistance with 22 thousand. On the other hand, the mining, oil, and gas extraction sector experienced a loss of 8 thousand jobs. In demographic terms, the unemployment rate among Hispanics decreased to 4.8 percent, while among the white population it stood at 3.5 percent.
The average hourly wage in the private sector increased by 0.5 percent in January, reaching $35.87, with a year-on-year increase of 4.1 percent. This is the first employment report since Donald Trump assumed the presidency of the United States on January 20. The White House blamed the Biden administration for the slowdown in hiring, stating that the economy under its leadership was in worse condition than expected, highlighting the need for growth policies driven by former President Trump.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt mentioned that Trump is keeping his promise to restore the U.S. economy, create jobs, revitalize small businesses, and usher in a new golden era in the United States.
