U.S. unemployment rate declined to 3.9% in December 2021

January 07, 2021

In December, total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 199,000. The unemployment rate ticked down to 3.9% in December. The job growth was spread across various industries, with notable gains in leisure and hospitality, in professional and business services, in manufacturing, in construction, and in transportation and warehousing.

Professional and business services added 43,000 jobs in December 2021. Employment in leisure and hospitality continued to trend up in December (+53,000). Transportation and warehousing added 19,000, construction (+22,000) and manufacturing (+26,000) over the month. Additionally, employment in wholesale trade added 14,000 and mining added 7,000. According to BLS, “in December, employment showed little or no change in other major industries, including retail trade, information, financial activities, health care, other services, and government.”

Notably, the number of persons on temporary layoff was little changed at 812,000 in December. The number of permanent job losers declined to 1.7 million. While the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) fell by 185,000 to 2.0 million. Moreover, the number of unemployed persons who were jobless less than 5 weeks in December was 1.98 million.

The labour force participation rate for December stood at 61.9%, while the employment population ratio rose to 61.9%. Nonetheless, persons employed part-time for economic reasons stood at 3.9 million in December. Based on BLS assessment, “these individuals, who would have preferred full-time employment, were working part-time because their hours had been reduced or they were unable to find full-time jobs.”

In December, a total of 1.6 million individuals were slightly attached to the labour force. These persons were not in the labour force, wanted and were available for work, and had looked for a job in the last year. Of the marginally attached, 463,000 persons were classified as discouraged workers in December, little changed over the month. These persons are not currently seeking work as they believe no jobs are available for them.

Disclaimer:

Analyst Certification -The views expressed in this research report accurately reflect the personal views of Mayberry Investments Limited Research Department about those issuer(s) or securities as at the date of this report. Each research analyst (s) also certify that no part of their compensation was, is, or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific recommendation(s) or view(s) expressed by that research analyst in this research report.

Company Disclosure -The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, however its accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. You are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Mayberry may effect transactions or have positions in securities mentioned herein. In addition, employees of Mayberry may have positions and effect transactions in the securities mentioned herein.

More Stories from the Market
Fallback Logo
April 16, 2026   MAYBERRY JAMAICAN EQUITIES (MJE) has advised that a connected party purchased 13,493 MJE shares on April 15, 2026. &nbs…
shutterstock_148562033
April 16, 2026   Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited (SJ) has advised that the Trustee of Sagicor Long Term Incentive Plan sold 5,777,151 SJ shar…
shutterstock_148562033
April 16, 2026   Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) has advised that on April 15, 2026, a connected party purchased 50,000 SVL shares. &nbsp…
MIL
April 16, 2026 Mayberry Jamaican Equities Limited (MJE) has advised that the daily Net Asset Value (NAV) for April 2, 2026, was J$7.20. MJE’s closi…
shutterstock_316932977-700x441
April 16, 2026 The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) reported that as of March 2026, the point to point inflation rate was +4.3%, up from t…
shutterstock_537598660
April 16, 2026 K.L.E. GROUP LIMITED (KLE) Audited financials for the twelve months ended December 31, 2025: K.L.E. GROUP LIMITED (KLE) for th…
shutterstock_453968572
April 16, 2026 United States: US Industrial Production Fell in March in Broad Decline   US industrial production declined in March as manu…
shutterstock_453968572
April 15, 2026   Jamaica Broilers Group Limited (JBG) has advised that it has entered into an agreement to sell assets of the Best Dressed …