The national unemployment rate dropped from 9.4% to 9% in January. But the country only added 36,000 jobs. The decrease came in part because of an increase people not looking for work, what the U.S. Department of Labor calls "marginally attached and discouraged" workers. The manufacturing and retail sectors were added the most jobs. Construction, transportation and warehousing shed the most jobs.
Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis said in a press release that she was encouraged by the drop in the unemployment rate and, "[is] convinced that the actions taken by the administration have helped drive this recovery. We know we have a ways to go. And I look forward to working with the president to win the future for American workers."
