The Unemployment Rate December 2025 (Zak Thinks of Ways To Hedge Technology and Participation for Shipbuilding))

(Illustrative Only)

Zak likes to build ships.
He has a crew of different
types of people and knows
how to increase employment
and participation. 
He hedges diversity, taps
natural motivation and 
trains. He understands
economics and knows his
workers are more than numbers
so he tries to stay engaged,
be a listening ear, attend their
kids bday parties and lets
employees determine 
where to donate 15% of
company profits to help
the people.

He wants to bring manufacturing 
back to our communities by
fostering entrepreneurship.
Believes most ideas are thrown
away because of partisanship
and special interests influence.
Change is needed as we have a use
for new ships but we struggle to
fundamentally adapt and 
improve competitiveness.
Midwest Manufacturing

He joined the hypothetical
Feather Party of free
minded thinkers who 
want a more direct
connection to the 
decisions in government. 
He thinks his model
could help boost 
GDP, raise wages, 
and maintain competitiveness
with new technology and a new
way of thinking. 
Sometimes people who bring new ideas
are often ripe for mistreatment. 
He doesn't care because
he wants to help his
nation and answers to
the needs of the people.
Freedom of thought is
fundamental to our futures.
Economic Development
Through Needs Fulfillment

*the hypthetical Feather Party
does not exist at this time in history.
It is a philosophical discussion
on collecting independent 
thinkers for political service,
not working with special interests,
using agreed upon decision making
matrix and capping donations
to improve decision making at 
the top for the next generation
through the use of critical 
thinking, evidence, ethics and
upholding social contracts.
They seek to tip votes and 
bring new options. It is not against
but for.

The December 2025 employment report indicates a relatively stable labor market. There isn’t much new hiring, but there also aren’t major layoffs, which suggests a steady—though not strong—environment. Hours worked declined slightly, while wages increased slightly, both of which are notable trends.

Going forward, it’s important to watch which industries are expanding and which are contracting. Services remain essential, but growth in manufacturing and new product development would be a positive sign, as those sectors contribute to innovation and value creation. Different types of service growth can also reveal deeper market shifts, since industries with higher profitability—such as healthcare and elder care—tend to attract more workers and investment. Time and trend will determine if it is short or long lived.

The labor force participation rate is another key indicator. A higher rate means more people are working, which strengthens economic performance. Ideally, technology would support an increase in the number of workers involved in the economy, even if hours per worker fall. This becomes especially important as the overall population declines, since participation and GDP growth are closely connected.

It would also be beneficial to see increased participation among populations traditionally considered minorities. That represents untapped human capital, and greater engagement would bring new perspectives, stronger performance, higher tax contributions, and overall economic growth.

These areas—industry shifts, participation rates, and broader inclusion—represent some of the main challenges and opportunities moving forward.

BEA The Employment Situation December 2025

• Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by about 50,000 in December 2025, showing modest job growth.

• The unemployment rate remained at 4.4 percent with little change from the previous month.

• Job gains were concentrated in food services, health care, and social assistance, while retail trade lost jobs.

• For all of 2025, employment rose by 584,000 jobs, averaging 49,000 per month—slower than in 2024.

• Average hourly earnings continued to rise, reflecting ongoing wage growth.

• Employment figures from previous months were revised downward.

• A federal government shutdown caused missing household survey data for October 2025, affecting some comparisons.

• Labor force participation rate: 62.4%.

• Unemployment rates by race/ethnicity: White 3.5%, Black or African American 6.7%, Hispanic or Latino 5.2%, Asian 3.8%.

How It’s Calculated (U.S. Standard)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) calculates the unemployment rate as:
(Number of unemployed people ÷ civilian labor force) × 100

Additional Link:

Unemployment Trading Economics Site