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US Job Openings Hit Five-Month Low as Layoffs Decline to 17-Month Low
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CNBC TV18•29-09-2026, 20:59
US Job Openings Hit Five-Month Low as Layoffs Decline to 17-Month Low
- •US job openings fell to 7.1 million in August, the lowest in five months, indicating a softer labor market as employers remain cautious about hiring.
- •The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that hires remained subdued at 5.2 million, while total separations were 5.1 million.
- •Layoffs and discharges were largely unchanged at 1.6 million in August, marking the lowest level since March 2025.
- •The number of people voluntarily leaving their jobs (quits) remained stable at 3.1 million, matching the lowest rate since 2020.
- •The data suggests a labor market with limited turnover, as employers show little desire to expand payrolls but also keep job cuts contained.
Key Questions Answered
US job openings fell to a five-month low of 7.1 million in August 2026, while layoffs and discharges hit a 17-month low at 1.6 million.
The gap between labor demand and supply has narrowed substantially from pandemic-era highs, moving from roughly two job openings per unemployed worker at the 2022 peak to about one opening per unemployed worker.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics is scheduled to release the September JOLTS report on November 3.
