Employment Gain Boosts U.S. Role as Global Standout: Economy

A rise in employment and a falling jobless rate in December capped the best year for the labor market since 1999 and reinforced the U.S. role as the global economy’s standout performer.

The 252,000 jobs added followed a 353,000 rise the prior month that was more than previously estimated, a Labor Department report showed today in Washington. The jobless rate dropped to 5.6 percent, the lowest level since June 2008. The report wasn’t all good news as earnings unexpectedly declined from a month earlier.