Employment and unemployment developments, January 2006.

Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 193,000 in January, and the unemployment rate fell to 4.7 percent. Job gains occurred in several industries, including construction, mining, food services and drinking places, health care, and financial activities.

Unemployment

The number of unemployed persons fell to 7.0 million in January, and the unemployment rate decreased to 4.7 percent, seasonally adjusted. The unemployment rate had ranged from 4.9 to 5.1 percent during most of 2005. The jobless rate for adult men declined to 4.0 percent in January. For other maj