The unemployment situation took another step forward this morning, with the release of the news that the economy added 200,000 jobs in the month of December. Overall, the unemployment rate ticked down from 8.6 percent to 8.5 percent, the lowest that figure has been since February 2009.
The private-sector news continues to be strong. In December, private-sector employment increased by 212,000 jobs, meaning that private businesses added a total of 1.9 million jobs over the course of 2011. Public-sector employment dropped by 12,000 jobs in December, and by 280,000 jobs in 2011.
One of the biggest gainers among industry sectors is what the government calls the "couriers and messengers" industry, which added 42,000 jobs in December. Other strong areas in December include retail (up 28,000), food service and drinking places (up 24,000), and health care (up 23,000).
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