2026.01.1313:30:00UTC+00U.S. Real Earnings Experience Further Decline in December

The United States saw a continued decline in real earnings for December 2025, as newly released data on January 13, 2026, indicated a further drop to -0.3%. This decrease comes following a -0.1% change in November 2025, marking a concerning trend over the course of the month. The data shows a month-over-month comparison, reflecting greater financial pressures on wage earners in the wake of ongoing economic challenges.

This recent downturn in real earnings underscores persistent issues in cost-of-living adjustments failing to keep pace with inflationary pressures. As living expenses climb, the slight decrease in real earnings highlights the economic tightening felt by the average American worker during this period.

Economists and policymakers will closely analyze these developments to assess impacts on consumer spending and overall economic health, with implications potentially reverberating across markets and influencing future economic strategies. With these figures now in focus, dialogues around wage growth and inflation management are expected to intensify in upcoming months.