Hiring slows in December to end the weakest year of job growth since the pandemic

U.S. employers added 50,000 jobs last month, as the unemployment rate fell to 4.4%. Retailers cut jobs in December, despite the busy holiday shopping season.

U.S. employers added 50,000 jobs in December, according to a report from the Labor Department Friday. Measured annually, job gains in 2025 were the slowest since 2020.

(Image credit: Spencer Platt)