The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that job openings continued to trend downward, falling to about 6.5 million in December 2025, a decline from earlier months and the lowest level in several years. Over the month, hires and total separations were little changed, with roughly 5.3 million hires and 5.3 million separations recorded.
Within separations, quits remained steady at about 3.2 million, and layoffs and discharges remained relatively flat. The decrease in job openings was seen across several sectors, including professional services, retail trade, and finance. The data suggest easing labor demand even as turnover rates stayed stable. The BLS writes:
The number of job openings continued to trend down to 6.5 million in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the month, both hires and total separations were little changed at 5.3 million each. Within separations, quits (3.2 million) were unchanged while layoffs and discharges (1.8 million) were little changed.
This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, and separations for the total nonfarm sector, by industry, and by establishment size class. Job openings include all positions that are open on the last business day of the month. Hires and separations include all changes to the payroll during the entire month.
Job Openings
The number of job openings trended down to 6.5 million (-386,000) in December and was down by 966,000 over the year. The job openings rate, at 3.9 percent, changed little over the month. The number of job openings decreased in professional and business services (-257,000), retail trade (-195,000), and finance and insurance (-120,000). (See table 1.)
Hires
In December, the number and rate of hires were little changed at 5.3 million and 3.3 percent, respectively. The number of hires increased in real estate and rental and leasing (+38,000) and in state and local government, excluding education (+36,000). Hires decreased in federal government (-11,000). (See table 2.)
Separations
Total separations include quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations. Quits are generally voluntary separations initiated by the employee. Therefore, the quits rate can serve as a measure of workers’ willingness or ability to leave jobs. Layoffs and discharges are involuntary separations initiated by the employer. Other separations include separations due to retirement, death, disability, and transfers to other locations of the same firm.
In December, the number and rate of total separations were little changed at 5.3 million and 3.3 percent, respectively. The number of total separations decreased in professional and business services (-212,000) and in private educational services (-20,000). Total separations increased in transportation, warehousing, and utilities (+110,000) and in federal government (+10,000). (See table 3.)
In December, the number and rate of quits were unchanged at 3.2 million and 2.0 percent, respectively. The number of quits decreased in professional and business services (-151,000) and in private educational services (-19,000). Quits increased in retail trade (+87,000) and in information (+28,000). (See table 4.)
The number of layoffs and discharges in December was little changed at 1.8 million. The layoffs and discharges rate was unchanged at 1.1 percent. Layoffs and discharges increased in transportation, warehousing, and utilities (+103,000) but decreased in finance and insurance (-20,000). (See table 5.)
The number of other separations was little changed at 285,000 in December. (See table 6.)
Establishment Size Class
In December, establishments with 1 to 9 employees and establishments with 5,000 or more employees showed little or no change in job openings, hires, and separations rates. (See table 7.)
November 2025 Revisions
The number of job openings for November was revised down by 218,000 to 6.9 million, the number of hires was revised up by 6,000 to 5.1 million, and the number of total separations was revised up by 64,000 to 5.1 million. Within separations, the number of quits was revised up by 32,000 to 3.2 million, the number of layoffs and discharges was revised up by 14,000 to 1.7 million, and the number of other separations was revised up by 17,000 to 249,000.
Monthly revisions result from additional reports received from businesses and government agencies since the last published estimates and from the recalculation of seasonal factors.
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