US Job Openings Hit 5-Year Low

US job openings dropped to a five-year low in December 2025, with 6.542 million openings, the lowest level since September 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

US job openings dropped to a five-year low in December 2025, with 6.542 million openings, the lowest level since September 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Officials said the labor market remains sluggish despite strong economic growth.

Meanwhile, hiring increased by 172,000 positions to 5.293 million in December.

The data came as other numbers showed a larger-than-expected increase in Americans filing for unemployment benefits.

However, the number of Americans who quit their jobs ticked higher in November, which is seen as a good sign, because workers typically quit when they are more confident they can find a better job, or already have one.

The job openings and labor turnover survey, or JOLTS report, provides key insights into the state of hiring and firing in the US.

Sources confirmed that the labor market has been softening over the past few months, with job openings decreasing by more than 300,000 over the past two months.

Labor Market Remains Sluggish

The labor market has been sluggish despite steady economic growth, with job openings decreasing by 386,000 from November.

Economists predict the hiring recession will persist, with some sectors, such as healthcare and social assistance, seeing a decline in vacancies.

Government sources said the data suggests that the labor market is not as strong as previously thought.

The JOLTS report also showed that the number of Americans who quit their jobs remained historically low, at 3.16 million, up from just under 3 million in October.

However, the number of quits is still seen as a positive sign, as it suggests that workers are confident in their ability to find new jobs.

The labor market has been a key focus for policymakers, with some experts saying that the sluggish labor market could have implications for the broader economy.

Witnesses said that the decline in job openings could lead to a decrease in consumer spending, which could have a ripple effect on the economy.

Sector-Specific Job Openings

The healthcare and social assistance sector saw a decline in vacancies, with 181,000 fewer job openings in December.

This sector has been a main driver of job growth in the past, but has seen a slowdown in recent months.

Sources confirmed that the decline in job openings in this sector is a concern, as it could have implications for the broader labor market.

The JOLTS report also showed that the number of job openings in other sectors, such as retail and manufacturing, remained steady.

However, the overall trend of declining job openings is a concern, as it suggests that the labor market is not as strong as previously thought.

Experts said that the decline in job openings could be due to a variety of factors, including a slowdown in economic growth and a decrease in business confidence.

Despite this, the labor market is still seen as a key driver of economic growth, and policymakers will be closely watching the data in the coming months.

Historical Context

The US job market has seen a significant shift over the past few years, with the labor market experiencing a period of rapid growth.

However, the data suggests that the labor market is now slowing down, with job openings decreasing by more than 300,000 over the past two months.

Officials said that the labor market is still strong, but the data suggests that it is not as strong as previously thought.

The JOLTS report has been a key indicator of labor market trends, and the data suggests that the labor market is experiencing a period of transition.

The report showed that the number of job openings decreased by 386,000 from November, the largest decline since September 2020.

The labor market has been a key focus for policymakers, with some experts saying that the sluggish labor market could have implications for the broader economy.

The data suggests that the labor market is still strong, but the decline in job openings is a concern, and policymakers will be closely watching the data in the coming months.

Human Impact

The decline in job openings could have a significant impact on workers, particularly those in sectors that have seen a decline in vacancies.

Witnesses said that the decline in job openings could lead to a decrease in consumer spending, which could have a ripple effect on the economy.

The labor market has been a key driver of economic growth, and the decline in job openings could have implications for the broader economy.

Experts said that the decline in job openings could lead to a decrease in economic growth, and policymakers will be closely watching the data in the coming months.

The data suggests that the labor market is still strong, but the decline in job openings is a concern.

Officials said that the labor market is still strong, but the data suggests that it is not as strong as previously thought.

The decline in job openings could have a significant impact on workers, and policymakers will be closely watching the data in the coming months.

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