Key Points:
- The number of available jobs since May 2021 continues to outnumber Americans looking for work, but that gap is tightening.
- Job openings changed little at 8.8 million in November, below consensus of 8.85 million, and the lowest level since March 2021.
- Over the month, job openings decreased in transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-128,000) and in federal government (-58,000).
- The U.S. added 199,000 jobs in November and there were 6.3 million people unemployed.
- In November, the number of hires decreased to 5.5 million (-363,000). The number of hires decreased in professional and business services (-163,000).
- The number of total separations in November decreased to 5.3 million (-292,000).
- Within separations, quits (3.5 million) edged down and layoffs and discharges (1.5 million) changed little.
- The number of total separations decreased in professional and business services (-158,000) and in educational services (-28,000).
- The labor force participation rate was little changed at 62.8% in November and is 0.6% below its February 2020 level.
- The Right Facts will continue to monitor unemployment and job openings.