Bolivia, North Carolina – Job openings in the United States have dropped for the second consecutive month, reaching a three-year low according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In April, there were 8.06 million available jobs, a decrease from the previous month and the lowest number since February 2021.

Economists had anticipated job openings to be around 8.36 million, as per estimates from FactSet. The ratio of available jobs to job seekers also reached a low in April, with an estimated 1.2 available jobs for every individual seeking employment, marking the lowest ratio since June 2021.

The decline in job openings may indicate a slower pace of hiring in the coming months, although layoffs continue to remain low, suggesting positive net job growth. The job market, which has been robust in recent years, has supported strong consumer spending amidst challenges such as inflation and high interest rates.

Additionally, other measures of labor turnover in April showed minimal shifts. The quits rate, reflecting voluntary separations as a percentage of total employment, remained steady at 2.2%. New hires increased slightly, while total quits and layoffs decreased, reaching their lowest levels since December 2022.

Despite the slowdown in job growth, job openings still surpass pre-pandemic levels by over a million, although there are certain factors to consider with the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. Response rates to the survey have declined over the years, and the labor market has evolved due to demographic changes and pandemic-related effects.

Overall, while the labor market may be transitioning to a level closer to pre-pandemic conditions, the Federal Reserve continues to monitor inflation levels and economic indicators before making any adjustments to interest rates. The latest data indicates a decrease in the pace of inflation, hinting at potential stability in the economy moving forward.