US workforce grows by just 199,000 in disappointing December

Economists had predicted a rise of 422,000 non-farming jobs as Omicron variant adds new complication to economic recovery

The US economy ended the year with disappointing jobs growth figures for December, adding just 199,000 workers to the non-farming labor force.

Economists had been expecting more than double that number - 422,000 - suggesting that the US economy was improving, but erratically, as worker shortages troubled employers even before the Omicron coronavirus variant arrived, threatening another recovery stall.