U.S. job openings fell 2.3 percent in January from December, but rose 20.9 percent from January 2011, according to seasonally adjusted data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job openings rate — a measure of job openings compared with total employment — was 2.5 percent in January, down 10 basis points from December but up 40 basis points from January 2011.

The number of hires fell in January by 0.7 percent from December, but it was up 5.7 percent year over year.

Separations fell 2.0 percent in January from December, but rose 3.4 percent on a year-over-year basis. Separations include involuntary job losses as well as voluntary job losses such as from quits and retirements.

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