Marketplace All-in-One The job market won't start fresh in 2026
Dec 24, 2025
Alice Wilder, a journalist known for her insightful stories on budget cooking, shares her experiences with TikTok creator Kiki Ruff's “recession recipes.” They discuss how rising grocery prices are impacting families and the creativity sparked by economic challenges. Additionally, they dive into the complexities of the job market, where conflicting reports lead to a deeper understanding of unemployment trends. The conversation also touches on investments in AI, shedding light on the economic forces at play in today's society.
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Claims Drop Masks Deeper Labor Weakness
- Initial unemployment claims fell but don't capture all job losses, so the labor market picture is mixed.
- Rising unemployment and stalled hiring suggest the job market won't reset quickly by 2026.
Rising Unemployment Is Uneven
- Unemployment is rising unevenly, hitting Black workers much harder than white workers.
- Aggregate rates hide distributional harm that could worsen consumer demand and housing activity.
Job Creation Has Basically Stalled
- Job creation essentially stalled from April through November, leaving hiring rates unusually low.
- Employer caution and worker wariness together suppress housing and consumer spending.