US Job Openings Rise to 7 Million Despite Sluggish Labor Market

The number of job postings exceeded economists' forecasts, but hiring remains weak.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 6:15pm

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The U.S. Labor Department reported that job openings rose to nearly 7 million in January, higher than expected, even as the American labor market has looked sluggish. Layoffs fell slightly and the number of Americans quitting their jobs also slipped modestly. However, the economy has been sputtering, with employers cutting 92,000 jobs last month and adding fewer than 10,000 jobs per month in 2025, the weakest hiring outside of recession years since 2002.

Why it matters

The rise in job openings despite a sluggish labor market suggests ongoing challenges in filling available positions, which could impact economic growth. The data provides insight into the complex dynamics of the U.S. job market, which has been impacted by factors like the war in Iran and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The details

According to the Labor Department, the number of job postings rose to 6.95 million in January, up from 6.55 million in December and higher than economists had forecast. Layoffs fell slightly and the number of Americans quitting their jobs, seen as a sign of confidence in their prospects, also slipped modestly. However, the American job market has been sputtering, with employers cutting 92,000 jobs last month and adding fewer than 10,000 jobs per month in 2025, the weakest hiring outside of recession years since 2002.

  • The job openings data is for January 2026.
  • In 2025, employers added fewer than 10,000 jobs per month, the weakest hiring outside of recession years since 2002.

The players

U.S. Labor Department

The federal agency responsible for collecting and reporting labor market data, including job openings and employment figures.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, whose policies such as import taxes and deportations have impacted the U.S. economy.

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The takeaway

The rise in job openings despite a sluggish labor market highlights the complex dynamics of the U.S. job market, which has been impacted by factors like the war in Iran and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The data suggests ongoing challenges in filling available positions, which could have implications for economic growth.