Curated featured content and highlights
Use filters to find specific content
Breaking it down: a decomposition of the 2024 gain in private-sector average hourly earnings by major industry sector" analyzes how industry shifts drove a $1.37 increase in private-sector earnings, peaking amid post-COVID recovery effects.
On November 20, 2025, the BLS released the Employment Situation report for the September 2025 reference period, delayed over six weeks due to a lapse in federal appropriations. Total nonfarm payrolls rose by 119,000, while the U-3 unemployment rate held at 4.4%. No October 2025 household survey data exist, and the November 2025 report is postponed to December 16, 2025.
Private sector employment grew by 42,000 jobs in October 2025, marking the first monthly gain since July. Wage growth remained steady at 4.5% year-over-year, with a notable divide between hiring gains in large firms and declines in small and midsize businesses. The recovery was uneven across sectors—while some industries added jobs, others continued to shed workers, highlighting persistent labor market imbalances.
The August 2025 JOLTS data reveals a labor market that has plateaued, with job openings unchanged at 7.2 million and a hires rate of 3.2%. The quits rate dipped to 1.9%, signaling continued worker caution. Sectoral analysis shows construction and federal government openings declined, while accommodation, food services, and health care saw increases. The job openings-to-unemployed ratio fell below 1, suggesting a softening labor market and reduced wage pressures. These trends highlight emerging risks and inform targeted policy responses.
The UK labour market shows signs of softening in the July–September 2025 period, with the employment rate dipping to 75.0% and unemployment rising to 5.0%, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Pay growth remains moderate at 4.6% year-on-year, translating to just 0.5% real terms amid cooling inflation. Vacancies held steady at 723,000, but overall participation trends and regional disparities highlight emerging slack. This points to a loosening market that could support Bank of England rate cuts, amid broader economic stagnation.
The November 8, 2025 DOL Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report shows initial claims declined to approximately 227,500, with continuing claims at 1.942 million and a stable four-week average. This in-line result offered no major market surprises, signaling a cooling but resilient labor market. Regional and industry patterns hint at localized volatility, while steady claims support expectations for unchanged Fed policy. Full details and further analysis draw from primary sources including the U.S. Department of Labor, Reuters, Bloomberg, state labor departments, and Trading Economics
U.S. employers announced 153,074 job cuts in October 2025, the highest monthly total since 2003 and a 175% increase from October 2024. Year-to-date, over 1.1 million job cuts have been announced, driven by cost-cutting, AI-driven automation, and economic uncertainty. The government, technology, and retail sectors are hardest hit, while hiring plans remain at their lowest levels since 2011.
The HWOL Index measures the change in advertised online job vacancies over time, reflecting monthly trends in employment opportunities across the US.
The BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) for Q4 2024 reveals a resilient yet uneven U.S. labor market, with national employment growth slowing to 0.8% amid sector-specific surges in tech and healthcare. Regional disparities highlight booming Sun Belt metros contrasted by Rust Belt stagnation. Wage growth averaged 4.2%, but inflation-adjusted gains lag in low-wage industries. This report dives into key trends, visualizations, and implications for policymakers and job seekers.