US job openings dive to 8.73 million in October, lowest since March 2021

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - US job openings fell sharply to 8.73 million in October, marking their lowest since March 2021, according to Labor Department figures released Tuesday.

The expectation for the figure was to come in at 9.3 million, while the figure in September was revised from 9.55 million to 9.35 million.

In October, the number of hires changed little at 5.9 million and the rate was 3.7%, the agency said in a statement.

Total separations, which include resignations, layoffs and discharges, rose to 5.6 million in October, from 5.5 million in September, but its rate remained unchanged at 3.6% for the fifth consecutive month.

Around 3.6 million workers left their jobs in the world's largest economy in October, while its rate was 2.3% for the fourth consecutive month, said the agency.

The Labor Department's survey measures job vacancies by collecting data from employers about employment, job openings, hiring and separations.

The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS, considers job openings for all positions that are open or not filled on the last business day of the month when the survey is conducted.