jobless rate

Employment climbed more than forecast in January and the U.S. jobless rate unexpectedly fell to the lowest in three years, casting doubt on whether the Federal Reserve can wait until 2014 before raising interest rates.

The U.S. economy creates jobs at the fastest pace in 9 months and the jobless rate drops to an almost 3-year low, raising hopes that the labor market is picking up steam.

U.S. employment grew solidly last month, adding 200,000 jobs and capping a strengthening trend in the second half of 2011.

The jobless rate dropped to near a 3-year low.

A steady trickle of reports points to an improving labor market. But the economy needs to add far more jobs to lower the nation's 8.6 percent jobless rate. 

One party points to a positive trend in the jobless rate while the other highlights only the absolute level of unemployment.

Employment growth picked up speed in November, pushing the nation’s unemployment rate down to 8.6 percent -- its lowest level since March 2009.

The jobless rate fell to its lowest level since March 2009, partly on a shrinking labor pool, the Labor Department said Friday.

Japan's jobless rate climbed for the first time in three months in October while household spending and incomes fell, adding to evidence that the country's post-disaster rebound is waning.

Economists had forecast job growth in the United States of 60,000 for August, but the Labor Department found nonfarm payrolls flat as the jobless rate held at 9.1%.

The jobless rate rose to 9.2 percent in June from 9.1 percent in May, the Labor Department said, as the economy added a meager 18,000 jobs.