The decline in employment levels across the United States eased for the eight consecutive month in November, suggesting that job prospects in all sectors are continuing to improve.

According to the latest ADP National Employment Report, employment in the non-agricultural private sector declined by 169,000 over the course of the month.

Of these, 68,000 jobs went from US small businesses, with large businesses better able to cope with the economic climate and shedding just 44,000 jobs.

The results have been heralded as a sign that the national jobs market is slowly but surely improving.

Commenting on this latest set of statistics, economist Joel Prakken has suggested that, while much of this upturn can be attributed to seasonal factors, it does show that prospects in most sectors, apart from manufacturing, are picking up for jobseekers.

However, he added to CNN: "Although overall economic activity is stabilizing, employment usually trails economic activity, so it is likely to decline for at least a few more months."

Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has reported that some 640,000 jobs have been saved as a result of the economic stimulus package recently passed by the Obama administration.