The US unemployment rate unexpectedly fell in January, to its lowest level in five months, official figures from the Labor Department have shown.
Last month’s rate was 9.7%, down from 10% in December.
Yet at the same time, US employers cut 20,000 jobs in January, which was also unexpected. Most analysts had predicted the economy to add jobs.
President Barack Obama has declared that job creation would be his top priority for 2010.
Last month’s job losses were the lowest since the US recession started, with the exception of November 2009 when a surprise rise in employment was seen.
