The number of job openings in the US rose by 101,000 in December 2023 compared to November 2023 but were down 2.2 million year over year, according to data released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Overall, December’s 9.0 million total job openings were down from the series high of 12.0 million in March 2022.

Job openings increased in professional and business services by 239,000 in December 2023 but decreased by 83,000 in wholesale trade.

The number of layoffs and discharges — involuntary separations from employment — rose by 85,000 in December compared to November for a total of more than 1.6 million. The number of layoffs and discharges increased by 43,000 in transportation, warehousing and utilities and rose by 18,000 in state and local government, excluding education.

Meanwhile, the number of quits fell by 132,000 month over month in December for a total of nearly 3.4 million. Quits were down 17.1% year over year. Quits can serve as a measure of workers’ willingness or ability to leave jobs.

Quits fell by 71,000 in healthcare and social assistance in December and by 35,000 in transportation, warehousing and utilities.

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