Commissioner's Statement on the Employment Situation News Release — 2012-01-06

Advance copies of this statement are made available to the press under lock-up conditions with the explicit understanding that the data are embargoed until 8:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 200,000 in December, and the unemployment rate, at 8.5 percent, continued to trend down. In 2011, payroll employment growth averaged 137,000 per month. Private-sector job gains totaled 212,000 in December and 1.9 million over the year. Government employment changed little over the month but fell by 280,000 over the year. Employment in transportation and warehousing rose by 50,000 in December. The couriers and messengers industry accounted for almost all of the gain (+42,000), as seasonal hiring was particularly strong in December. This may reflect increased online purchasing during the holiday season. Retail trade continued to add jobs in December (+28,000), with increases in both general merchandise and clothing stores. Retail trade employment has increased by 240,000 over the past 12 months.