While some predicted a tighter labor market heading into 2026, December’s numbers tell a different story. As CNBC noted, the 4.4% unemployment rate came in less than expectations, defying the skeptics who thought we’d see a sharper uptick.
Yes, job growth was modest at 50,000, but the unemployment picture remained resilient. Food services, healthcare, and social assistance continued to expand, even as retail faced headwinds. The takeaway? The economy isn’t roaring – it’s stabilizing in ways many didn’t anticipate.
Here’s what makes you think: If unemployment stays lower than predicted in an uncertain economy, what does that say about our collective ability to adapt? Are we underestimating American workers’ resilience, or overestimating the forces working against them?
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