U.S. job openings fell by 22.6% on a year-over-year basis in December to approximately 2.5 million, according to numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job openings rate fell to 1.9% in December from 2.3% a year ago.

The number of hires fell 9.7% in December on a year-over-year basis to almost 4.1 million. The hires rate fell to 3.1% from 3.3%.

Separations fell by 15.5% in December to approximately 4.2 million from almost 5.0 million in December 2008. The separations rate fell to 3.2% in December from 3.7% in December 2008. Separations include involuntary losses of jobs as well as voluntary departures from jobs such as quits and retirements.