US unemployment rate falls to 9%, lowest since 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) – The US unemployment rate is suddenly sinking at the fastest pace in a half-century, falling to nine percent from 9.8 percent in just two months – the most encouraging sign for the job market since the recession ended.

More than half a million people found work in January. A government survey found weak hiring by big companies. But more people appear to be working for themselves or finding jobs at small businesses.

The steepest two-month decline in unemployment since the Eisenhower administration is the latest sign that the economic recovery is picking up speed.

The service sector and manufacturing are growing again at pre-recession rates. The Dow Jones industrial average closed above 12,000 last week for the first time since mid-2008. And retail sales have reached a five-year high.

“It is not all rosy. But we seem to be headed in the right direction,” said economist Chris Rupkey at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi. “The recovery is on track – warts and all.”

Yields on government bonds rose after the unemployment report came out, a sign that bond traders think the job market is improving and will lift the economy after a year and a half of only modest growth.

An unemployment rate of nine percent remains very high by historical standards. But the swift decline in the rate could also lift confidence at a time when businesses and individuals are already spending more money, fueling more hiring and still-more spending.

Unemployment has not been this low since April 2009.

“It’s the thinking, `I survived so far and I’ll make it through,’” said economist Nigel Gault of IHS Global Insight. “‘I can buy the things I postponed buying over the past several years because I’m not worried about my job.’”

It could also encourage people who had given up to look for jobs again, which might push the unemployment rate up temporarily. People out of work aren’t counted as unemployed unless they’re looking for a job. Typically during a tight job market, some of the unemployed become discouraged and stop looking.

Still, economists think the unemployment rate will fall below nine percent by year’s end – a far brighter outlook than they had a few months ago.

Those with jobs are making a little more, too. Average hourly earnings rose eight cents to $22.86 in January.

Over a 40-hour workweek, the increase works out to $3.20, a couple of cups of coffee.