WASHINGTON, Jan 5, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - US job growth surged unexpectedly in

December, government data showed Friday, wrapping up a solid year for the
labor market even as voters remain gloomy about the economy ahead of
November's. presidential election.

The world's biggest economy added 216,000 jobs in the final month of 2023
despite expectations of a slowdown from November, while the unemployment rate
was unchanged at 3.7 percent, said the Department of Labor.