U.S. jobless rate unchanged in December

The December national unemployment rate stood at 7.8 percent, unchanged from the revised November rate, which previously was reported as 7.7 percent.

During the month, nonfarm payroll employment increased by 155,000 jobs, driven by the health care, food services and drinking places, construction and manufacturing industries, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics news release.

Health care employment rose by 45,000 jobs in December; food services and drinking places added 23,000 jobs; construction industry employers hired 30,000 additional workers; and manufacturing employment increased by 25,000 positions.

The number of unemployment workers, 12.2 million, was largely unchanged in December, according to the release.