The Year’s Last Jobs Report Is Strong
January 5, 2024
Job growth in 2023 points to a soft landing.
The Roosevelt Rundown features our top stories of the week.
(Photo by Mike Konczal/X, formerly Twitter)
Jobs Report Shows a Steadily Growing Economy
To close out 2023, the economy added 216,000 new jobs in December, exceeding the expectations of economists and finishing off a strong year for the economy.
The year’s steady job growth has continued despite high interest rates implemented by the Federal Reserve in an attempt to combat inflation (that is largely supply-driven).
Although unemployment increased slightly over the course of 2023, it has now remained below 4 percent for nearly two full years—with December’s unemployment rate sitting at 3.7 percent.
In an otherwise stable jobs report, December saw a slight decrease in labor force participation. Read more on the details of this month’s data from the Roosevelt Institute’s director of macroeconomic analysis, Mike Konczal.
Join Our Team
The Roosevelt Institute is hiring! If you’re interested in joining our community of thinkers, advocates, and champions of a more democratic economy, check out our latest career opportunities:
- Donor Engagement Manager
- Research Associate
- Senior Student Program Associate
- Senior HR Associate
- Director of Race and Democracy
- Director, Think Tank
- Chief of External Relations
What We’re Talking About
📢 The Roosevelt Network is hosting an expo with distinguished alum & progressive leaders, showcasing student research.
This event is for undergrad students interested in the Network, undergrad faculty & admins, and Network students & alumni. Register➡️ https://t.co/svpWRsuNWo pic.twitter.com/Oo17Q8Ea24
— Roosevelt Institute (@rooseveltinst) January 2, 2024
What We’re Reading
Time for a Victory Lap? – by Roosevelt Chief Economist Joseph Stiglitz – The American Prospect
What Do Tangible Reparations for Black Americans Look Like? [podcast] – feat. Roosevelt Senior Fellow William Darity, Jr. – Texas Public Radio
The NRA Has Put Another Disastrous Financial Case in Front of the Supreme Court – by Roosevelt Fellow Todd Phillips – Slate
What Biden Needs to Do in the Next 12 Months to Save the Climate – by Roosevelt Fellow Kate Aronoff – The New Republic
American Democracy Is Cracking. These Ideas Could Help Repair It – Washington Post