U.S. Job Growth Stalled in 2025 with Only 181,000 Jobs Added, But January 2026 Shows 130,000 Job Increase
By
ceejayoz
3mo ago· 4 min readenNews
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Summary
Revised federal data shows the U.S. economy experienced nearly zero job growth in 2025, with only 181,000 jobs added compared to 1.46 million in 2024. However, there was a positive development in January 2026 with 130,000 jobs added, indicating a potential hiring pickup. The data revision significantly changed the initial estimate of 584,000 jobs for 2025, revealing a much weaker labor market performance than previously thought.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledThe U.S. economy experienced almost zero job growth in 2025, according to revised federal data.
Preliminary data had indicated that the U.S. economy added 584,000 jobs last year. But the Bureau of Labor Statistics revised that number after it received additional state data and found that the labor market had added 181,000 jobs in all of 2025.
This is far fewer than the 1.46 million jobs that were added in 2024.
One bright spot was last month, when hiring increased by 130,000 roles.
U.S. added 130,000 jobs in January, but revisions show labor market growth stalled in 2025
