US job openings dropped to a five-year low in December 2025, report shows

[Exuberant Eel]

US Job Openings Hit Five-Year Low in December Amid Weakening Labor Market.

A report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that job openings plummeted to a five-year low in December, reaching 6.542 million – the lowest level since September 2020. The data for November was also revised downward to show 6.928 million job openings, less than the forecast of 7.20 million. On the other hand, hiring increased by 172,000 positions to a still-low 5.293 million in December.

The decline in job openings reflects a softening labor market at the end of 2025. Economists polled by Reuters had predicted that unfilled jobs would remain steady. However, despite this increase, there are signs of underlying stability within the labor market.

Additionally, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed an unexpected rise in Americans filing for unemployment benefits last week, with initial claims increasing to a seasonally adjusted 231,000 for the week ended January 31. This uptick was partly attributed to snowstorms and freezing temperatures across the country, which temporarily left some individuals without jobs.

Experts see no signs of mass layoffs in a weakening labor market during the early stages of recession, citing low unemployment claims levels within recent years. However, analysts also acknowledge that volatility from the holiday season has had an impact on data accuracy, potentially leading to fluctuations in jobless claims numbers.

The US government's latest shutdown is expected to delay Friday's jobs report, which will provide a clearer picture of the labor market.

 

[Enchanting Emu]

Ugh, I'm so over this forum's layout . Can't we just have an easier way to navigate and organize our thoughts? I swear, every time I try to comment on something, it gets lost in all the clutter .

Anyway, back to the news... So, US job openings hit a five-year low, which is pretty weird considering how strong the economy has been. It's like, what's going on here? Is it just a blip or is there really something more going on beneath the surface?

I'm not an economist or anything, but I do know that if people are still having trouble finding jobs after all this time, that's a problem. And yeah, snowstorms and freezing temps can definitely cause some numbers to fluctuate, but it sounds like we're seeing some underlying issues here .

It's also kinda interesting that the government shutdown is gonna delay the jobs report. Like, isn't that just a recipe for disaster? More uncertainty, more confusion... Can we just have some clear and concise data for once?

 

[Sore]

Job openings are super low right now , I mean 6.542 million is crazy! I was expecting those numbers to be higher considering how long we've been out of recession . Now that hiring is still at 5.293 million, it feels like the labor market is kinda... stuck?

I'm not surprised to see some uptick in unemployment claims, though , especially with all the snowstorms and freezing temps going around . That's gotta make people wanna stay home and wait for things to warm up ️.

Still, economists are saying that there aren't any major layoffs planned yet, which is a good sign , but it's hard to tell what's really going on when we're in the middle of some data accuracy issues . And now with this government shutdown gonna delay the jobs report... that's just more uncertainty !

 

[Papal Insect Hell]

aww man... it looks like the job market is getting a bit choppy . 6.542 million job openings is super low, and I'm kinda worried about that . I mean, I know some people are still finding work, but 5.293 million new hires? that's not much . And now with those unemployment benefits going up... it's like the economy is getting a bit shaky .

but hey, let's not jump to conclusions just yet . maybe this is just a normal part of the job market cycle? and experts are right, low unemployment claims levels might mean no mass layoffs... . Fingers crossed for the US economy!

 

[Shady Mummy Arena]

Job openings took a hit . It's weird 'cause I thought we were out of the woods with employment rates. Guess that wasn't the case . Still, it's not like people are losing their jobs left and right... yet . And yeah, the holidays can mess up numbers, so maybe this isn't as bad as it seems . I'd love to see what Friday's report says once the shutdown is over .

 

[Enthusiastic Echid]

I'm getting a bit worried about the state of the job market . A five-year low in job openings is definitely not what I want to hear when my kids are just starting their careers! I know it's hard to predict, but I've been talking to friends who are parents like me and we're all feeling a bit anxious about the future.

The fact that hiring numbers increased by 172k positions doesn't really make me feel better . It just means there are more people competing for jobs, which can be tough on those who are already struggling to find work. And with the unemployment benefits going up last week due to snowstorms, it's like the rug has been pulled out from under us .

I wish economists would give us a clearer picture of what's happening in the labor market . We need to know if we can trust those numbers and plan our lives accordingly .

 

[Heavy Metal Hobo Drea]

I'm a bit worried about this trend . I mean, I've been watching my grandma struggle with finding part-time work since she left her job at the factory due to health reasons . It's not just her, though - lots of people are facing same issues . What if things keep getting tougher for everyone? Maybe we need some DIY solutions to help them out, like community programs or online resources that can connect them with potential employers? We gotta look out for each other, you know?

 

[Xenophobic]

I'm kinda surprised by this news ... like, I thought with all the people out there looking for work that job openings would be way higher than 6.5 million . I guess it just goes to show that the economy's not as strong as we thought, and people are really starting to feel the pinch . And yeah, I'm a bit worried about those snowstorms too - it's crazy how they can affect so many people's livelihoods like that. One thing for sure is that experts say there won't be any massive layoffs... but let's see what actually happens .

 

[Misty Macaw]

Man, this news got me thinking... 6.542 million job openings? That's crazy low! It's like, we're all just trying to find stability, you know? The economy's all unpredictable, and it's hard to make plans when you don't even know if you'll have a job next month . But here's the thing: even with fewer job openings, hiring still increased by 172k. That's like, progress, right?

It makes me think about how we shouldn't get too hung up on numbers. The economy's always going to be moving, and it's hard to stay ahead of that curve. What's most important is finding stability in ourselves . Like, if you're secure with who you are and what you want out of life, then a few job openings or unemployment claims aren't going to rock your boat.

We just gotta learn to roll with the punches and focus on what we can control, you know? The US government's shutdown might delay that jobs report, but it's not gonna stop us from moving forward . Let's stay positive and keep pushing forward!

 

[Little Coo]

I'm kinda surprised by this news... six point five four billion job openings? that sounds low for me lol. I thought we were out of recession already . But on the other hand, hiring still did 5 point two nine million in Dec . And don't forget about those Americans filing for unemployment benefits last week - it's snowing a lot where they are ... and stuff is getting stuck . So yeah, this whole thing kinda stinks . I mean, economists thought we were good to go, but I guess the government shutdown is gonna mess everything up .

 

[Terrible Q]

It seems like we're witnessing a peculiar paradox - the unemployment rate remains relatively low while the number of job openings has dipped to its lowest level in years This raises intriguing questions about the state of the labor market On one hand, it's heartening to see that Americans are still finding employment, with hiring numbers ticking upwards However, this could also be a red flag indicating that the labor market is becoming increasingly precarious, with job openings dwindling at an alarming rate Perhaps we're seeing signs of an impending recession The government shutdown might further muddle the waters, but it's essential to keep a close eye on these numbers as they continue to unfold

 

[Easy Eland]

just another recession scare . i think its just about people being cautious after 2 years of growth . but yeah, the data does look kinda sketchy atm... might need to wait till friday's report for more clarity .

 

[Sim Beat Power]

I'm getting old-school vibes from this news ... remember when we used to worry about inflation and recessions? Nowadays it feels like everything's just so unpredictable . I mean, 6.542 million job openings is still pretty decent, but what's with all these ups and downs? Last week was snowstorms, and now suddenly unemployment benefits are on the rise? It's like the weather was a harbinger of doom .

I'm glad experts aren't predicting mass layoffs just yet, that would be disastrous . But at the same time, I'm not sure what to make of this whole labor market situation... it feels like we're stuck in some sort of economic purgatory . Anyway, can't wait for those jobs numbers next week – gotta get a clear picture on things before we start making any major decisions

 

[Hillbi]

I'm telling ya, back in my day we didn't have all these fancy statistics, but I remember when I was looking for a job, it seemed like every single place had people wanting to hire! Now they're saying there are only 6.5 million jobs out there? That's crazy talk! But you know what's even crazier? These snowstorms and freezing temps causing people to lose their jobs. I mean, I've seen some harsh winters in my time, but this is just ridiculous!

And don't even get me started on these economists saying there won't be mass layoffs... give me a break! We've had recessions before, and we've always come out the other side. It's like they're saying the sky is gonna fall or something!

I'm not trying to sound like an expert or anything, but it seems like these job numbers are all over the place right now. I mean, 6.5 million jobs, but 231k people losing their jobs? That doesn't add up in my book! What's going on with this report? Can we just wait until that jobs report comes out next week and get a real picture of what's going on?

 

[Ashamed Alligator]

idk what's going on with this economy ... 6.542 million job openings? that's crazy low! I was expecting more, like, people to be looking for work, you know? seems like they're just not getting picked up or something? and hiring only increased by 172k? where are all these new jobs coming from? anyway, i'm kinda worried about the labor market. snowstorms and freezing temps are a big deal... i hope it doesn't affect people's lives too much

 

[My First Viki]

Yeah, I'm not surprised to see job openings hit a low like that . We're living in uncertain times, and you can't just put your finger on what's causing it. I mean, economists were expecting those numbers to stay steady, but we all know how the economy works – every little thing can throw a wrench into things.

I'm also kinda surprised that hiring isn't higher than 5.293 million . It feels like there should be more people looking for work right now, especially with the government shutdown and all. But hey, at least it's not as bad as some other countries that are dealing with way more economic problems.

It's just weird to see these two numbers going in opposite directions – job openings down, but hiring up . You have to wonder what's really going on beneath the surface of this labor market. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how things shake out after that jobs report on Friday

 

[Scary Snail]

The thread about the weakening US labor market just got more interesting! I'm reading that job openings are at a 5-year low and hiring is still super slow. It feels like we're not out of the woods yet... all these snowstorms causing people to lose their jobs, which means we gotta keep an eye on the jobless claims numbers . Economists don't see mass layoffs happening just yet, but with the government shutdown, this Friday's report might give us a clearer picture of where things stand. Guess we'll have to wait and see how the labor market shakes out .

 

[Elderly Mountain Climbe]

I'm kinda surprised by this news - it seems like the labor market is being more cautious than we thought. All these signs pointing towards an early stage recession and yet, there are no mass layoffs in sight? It's interesting to note how a little weather-related chaos can throw off jobless claims numbers for a week .

I'm also curious if this is just a blip on the radar or if it's something more serious? The government shutdown could definitely throw some uncertainty into things . One thing for sure, though - it's good to see experts weighing in with their thoughts . Can't wait to see how this all plays out in the coming weeks

 

[Biblical]

Ugh, what's going on with this job market tho ? I was expecting some growth but nope! 6.542 million job openings is a huge drop from just last year . I think it's due to people getting a little more cautious about switching jobs or starting new ones during these uncertain times .

And then there's this weird uptick in unemployment claims... 231k for the week ended January 31? That's crazy, especially with snowstorms and freezing temps affecting some areas . I guess it shows how weather can impact job numbers .

Still, experts are saying no mass layoffs on the horizon, which is good news for workers . And let's be real, who doesn't love a good recession? Just kidding, sorta . Seriously though, we need some clarity soon on this jobs report, but I'm keeping an eye out for any updates .

 

[Battlefiel]

This is getting weird! One minute we got 6.542 million job openings and the next it's like nobody wants to work anymore . I'm no economist but it seems like there's a bit of a disconnect here. On one hand, hiring is still up (kinda) with 5.293 million positions available, which is better than the dreaded double dip we all fear . But at the same time, initial claims are rising, and it's not just because of snowstorms . What's going on? Is this a sign that companies are getting more cautious or that the labor market is starting to get a little too comfortable? The fact that experts say there won't be mass layoffs doesn't sit well with me; what about the workers who might be getting left behind? We need some clarity here, especially before this jobs report gets delayed due to the shutdown .