2025 was the worst year for hiring since 2020, December jobs report shows
NBC News••business
Key Points:
- The U.S. economy added only 50,000 jobs in December 2025, marking the worst year for hiring since the 2020 Covid pandemic, with just 584,000 jobs created throughout the year, far below previous years' figures.
- Government employment saw a significant decline, particularly in October, due to job eliminations under Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, while aggressive immigration restrictions under President Trump’s administration contributed to cautious hiring practices.
- The unemployment rate fell to 4.4% in December, partly due to statistical adjustments, and job growth revisions for October and November showed weaker performance than initially reported.
- Job gains were mainly in food services, health care, and social assistance, while retail trade
