财富FORTUNE·2026-01-09 13:05Core Viewpoint - The current U.S. labor market is characterized by "low hiring, low layoffs," indicating a new normal rather than a temporary fluctuation, with economic growth strong but employment data stagnating [2][5]. Group 1: Employment Market Analysis - The U.S. employment market is experiencing its weakest performance since 2011, with an average of only 17,000 new jobs added monthly over the past six months, the lowest since the global financial crisis [2]. - The private sector has seen a slightly better performance, averaging 44,000 new jobs monthly, but this is still at a decade-low level [2]. - The U6 unemployment rate has risen to 8.7%, and the number of job openings per unemployed person has dropped to 1.0, both reaching their lowest levels since 2017 [2]. Group 2: Economic Growth and Consumer Behavior - The U.S. GDP annualized growth rate reached 4.3% in the third quarter, driven by a surge in consumer spending and a $166 billion increase in corporate profits [6]. - However, real disposable income for households has stagnated, indicating that consumer spending is being maintained through savings depletion, borrowing, and cutbacks in spending [6]. Group 3: K-Shaped Recovery - The U.S. economy is entering a K-shaped growth phase, where affluent households benefit from stock market gains and property appreciation, while lower-income families face affordability pressures and stagnant real incomes [6]. - Companies are finding ways to grow without hiring more staff, focusing on productivity improvements rather than expanding their workforce [7]. Group 4: Long-term Labor Market Trends - Goldman Sachs warns of a "no job growth" scenario, where despite rising output, most industries, except healthcare, are experiencing stagnant or negative job growth [7][10]. - The impact of artificial intelligence on labor demand is expected to create long-term headwinds for job growth, as companies increasingly focus on reducing labor costs [7][10]. - The demographic shift, including declining birth rates and an aging population, is expected to limit labor supply contributions to economic growth [8].