Bureau of Labor Statistics Says U.S. Job Openings Fall to 6.542 Million
BLS's JOLTS report shows openings fell 386,000 to 6.542 million in December 2025, the fewest since Sept. 2020.
Overview
The Bureau of Labor Statistics said in its Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey that job openings fell by 386,000 to 6.542 million in December 2025, the fewest since Sept. 2020.
The decline followed a November revision to 6.928 million and came as hires rose by 172,000 to 5.293 million while quits held at 3.2 million, economists said, highlighting weak labor demand amid solid GDP.
Economists offered competing interpretations of the data, with Carl Weinberg of High Frequency Economics telling Reuters that 'there is no sign' of recession-style layoffs while Heather Long wrote in commentary that 'the hiring recession isn't going to end anytime soon.'
Other measures showed mixed signals: ADP reported private payrolls added 22,000 jobs in January, Challenger, Gray & Christmas said companies cut more than 108,000 jobs in January, and the Labor Department reported initial claims rose 22,000 to 231,000 for the week ended Jan. 31.
Analysts said they will watch the delayed U.S. January payroll report and upcoming weekly claims for confirmation of a sustained slowdown or a return to stronger hiring, with automation and AI growth cited as a potential factor by some economists.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a puzzling mismatch between strong GDP and weak hiring, using words like 'sluggish' and 'puzzling' and juxtaposing 6.5M openings with prior 400,000/month hiring. They foreground Labor Department data and economists' uncertainty while omitting worker voices and policy commentary, subtly emphasizing concern over automation and labor-market health.
Sources (3)
FAQ
Job openings fell by 386,000 to 6.542 million, the fewest since September 2020; hires rose by 172,000 to 5.293 million; quits remained at 3.2 million.
Declines were led by professional and business services (-257,000), retail trade (-195,000), and finance and insurance (-120,000).
Carl Weinberg sees no sign of recession-style layoffs, while Heather Long indicates the 'hiring recession' will persist; mixed signals amid solid GDP.
ADP reported 22,000 private jobs added in January 2026; Challenger noted over 108,000 job cuts in January; initial claims rose to 231,000.
The delayed U.S. January payroll report and upcoming weekly claims for signs of slowdown or stronger hiring.
History
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