US Job Openings Decline to Five-Year Low in December 2025

In December 2025, U.S. job openings decreased by 386,000 to 6.542 million, marking the lowest level since September 2020, according to the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics. The November figures were also revised downward to 6.928 million from the previously reported 7.146 million. Economists had anticipated 7.20 million unfilled positions. Despite the decline in job openings, hiring saw a modest increase of 172,000 positions, reaching 5.293 million in December. Additionally, initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose by 22,000 to a seasonally adjusted 231,000 for the week ending January 31, 2026, the highest level in two months. Economists had forecasted 212,000 claims for the latest week. The increase in jobless claims is partly attributed to snowstorms across much of the country and seasonal fluctuations around the holiday season. Despite these figures, the labor market remains in what economists describe as a "low hire, low fire" mode. The upcoming jobs report, expected to provide a more comprehensive snapshot of the labor market, has been delayed due to the recent U.S. government shutdown.