US Job Openings Fall to 6.5 Million, Fewest Since 2020

Labor market remains sluggish as hiring slows despite strong economic growth

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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The U.S. Labor Department reported that job openings fell to 6.5 million in December, the lowest level in more than five years, indicating a sluggish labor market despite strong economic growth. Layoffs rose slightly, while the number of people quitting their jobs remained unchanged, showing a lack of confidence in the job market.

Why it matters

The decline in job openings and sluggish hiring despite strong economic growth raises questions about the health of the labor market and the broader economy. Economists are trying to understand if hiring will pick up to match the strong growth or if advances in technology like AI and automation mean the economy can grow without creating many new jobs.

The details

The Labor Department reported that job openings fell from 6.9 million in November to 6.5 million in December, the fewest since September 2020. Layoffs rose slightly, while the number of people quitting their jobs remained unchanged at 3.2 million. The December openings came in lower than economists had forecast.

  • The Labor Department reported the data on February 5, 2026.
  • The job openings data is for December 2025.

The players

U.S. Labor Department

The federal agency responsible for collecting and reporting labor market data.

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The takeaway

The decline in job openings and sluggish hiring despite strong economic growth points to a puzzling disconnect in the labor market, raising questions about its long-term health and the impact of technological advances like AI and automation on job creation.