December 2015 employment: US economy ended year in strong position

‘The Employment Situation’ news release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the country finished 2015 well, adding 292,000 jobs in December. The BLS report found that the number of unemployed people was unchanged in December 2015 – at 7.9 million, and the unemployment rate still stands at 5%. Employment rose in several industries, including professional and business services, construction, health care, and food services and drinking places. Mining employment continued to decline. Employment in professional and business services increased by 73,000 in December, with temporary help services accounting for 34,000 of the gain. In 2015, professional and business services added 605,000 jobs, compared with a gain of 704,000 in 2014.Construction showed strong job growth for the third consecutive month, gaining 45,000 jobs in December. Job gains occurred among specialty trade contractors (+29,000) and in construction of buildings (+10,000). Over the year, construction added 263,000 jobs, compared with a gain of 338,000 Construction showed strong job growth for the third consecutive month, gaining 45,000 jobs in December. Job gains occurred among specialty trade contractors (+29,000) and in construction of buildings (+10,000). Over the year, construction added 263,000 jobs, compared with a gain of 338,000 jobs in 2014. In December, health care employment rose by 39,000, with most of the increase occurring in ambulatory health care services (+23,000) and hospitals (+12,000). Job growth in health care averaged 40,000 per month in 2015, compared with 26,000 per month in 2014. Food services and drinking places added 37,000 jobs in December. In 2015, the industry added 357,000 jobs, while employment in transportation and warehousing rose by 23,000 in December, with a gain of 15,000 in couriers and messengers. Employment in other major industries, including wholesale trade, retail trade, financial activities, and government, changed little over the month.    ]]>