The U.S. economy added fewer jobs in January than economists had forecast, although the jobless rate edged lower.

Job creation was weaker than expected for the first month of 2025, even as unemployment edged down. Nonfarm payrolls climbed ...

But first a bit of background: The numbers in Friday’s jobs report most likely will change in the months (and years) to come.

Friday’s report provided evidence of slowing expansion. The 143,000 jobs added would be the weakest January total since 2016.