By Mucahithan Avcioglu
ISTANBUL (AA) - US private payrolls rose by 22,000 in January, far below expectations, signaling a weak start to the year as hiring slowed across major sectors, according to a report released Wednesday by the ADP Research Institute.
Markets had expected a rise of 46,000 in January, following a downwardly revised 37,000 increase in December 2025.
The ADP said in a statement that while there has been a continuous and dramatic slowdown in job creation over the past three years, wage growth has remained stable.
It said that in a lackluster month for hiring, health care was a standout, adding 74,000 jobs.
Leading the slowdown were manufacturing, which has lost jobs every month since March 2024, professional and business services, and large employers.
“Job creation took a step back in 2025, with private employers adding 398,000 jobs, down from 771,000 in 2024,” ADP Chief Economist Nela Richardson said.
Education and health services posted the highest gains, adding 74,000 jobs, followed by financial activities with 14,000.
They were followed by 9,000 new jobs in construction, and 4,000 in both trade, transportation and utilities, and leisure and hospitality.
Meanwhile, professional and business services saw the biggest job losses, with 57,000, followed by other services with 13,000, and manufacturing with an 8,000 decline.
The ADP Unemployment Report is produced and published monthly in collaboration with the Stanford Digital Economy Lab.