The unemployment rate now stands at 7.2%.
Average earnings have also increased, by 1.1% in the year to December.
Latest estimates show that 193,000 more people were in work between October and December, compared to the previous three months.
That means overall employment now stands at more than 30 million, a rate of 72.1%, which is an increase of 0.6% on a year ago.
The number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance fell by 27,600 in January to 1.22 million, its 15th consecutive monthly drop.
"Record numbers of women are in work and youth unemployment continues to fall, which means more people have the security of a regular wage and can plan for their future," she added.
However, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Rachel Reeves said jobless levels were still too high.
According to the ONS figures, the number of self-employed workers increased by 172,000 to 4.37 million.
Howard Archer, chief UK economist at IHS Global Insight, said: "It could be an early sign that productivity is finally starting to pick up with more companies making increasing use of their existing workers rather than taking on new workers.
"This would be highly welcome news for the economy's longer-term growth prospects."