The nation’s employers added a robust 216,000 jobs last month. Retired Ripon College economist Paul Schoofs says its the latest sign that the American job market remains resilient even in the face of sharply higher interest rates. “It’s really a reason to be happy about the new year,” Schoofs told WFDL news. December’s job gain exceeded the 173,000 that were added in November. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7% — the 23rd straight month that joblessness has remained below 4%. The latest data reflect an economy and a job market that are decelerating back to pre-pandemic norms. Hiring remains steady, and while employers are posting fewer openings, they are not laying off many workers. Despite the low unemployment and cooling inflation, polls show that many Americans are dissatisfied with the economy.
