More Openings, Fewer Available Workers Source: U.S. Chamber analysis of BLS data U.S. Worker Availability Ratio The number of workers for each job opening in the United States Annual averages through October 2019 U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE U.S. WORKFORCE ANALYSIS NEW STUDY REVEALS TOO FEW WORKERS FOR JOB OPENINGS A new analysis from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce shows that there are too few available workers nationwide to fill available job openings, evidence of a historically tight labor market for employers and a mounting threat to the U.S. economy’s continued growth. In October 2019 (the latest month of available data), the Worker Availability Ratio—which measures the number of available workers for every job opening—fell to 0.88 workers per job opening (less than one available worker per vacancy), the lowest level recorded in nearly 20 years of government data. The ratio has fallen steadily from a record high of 8 in December 2010 (during the Great Recession) and has averaged 2.8 (or about three workers per job opening) since 2001. Now, there is less than one worker available per job opening nationwide. The 6.74 million available workers in October 2019 included 5.5 million active job seekers (corresponding to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ definition of unemployed) and 1.2 million others classified as “marginally attached,” who could begin work immediately but have not actively looked for work in the most recent month. Data are not seasonally adjusted. The data reveal an important but overshadowed “gap” in the American workforce. While much attention has been given to the skills gap, that is, that too many people lack the skills they need to compete for jobs in today’s economy—our nation also faces a growing people gap: there are too few workers relative to demand. The U.S. Chamber is working to address these challenges by mobilizing the business community to become engaged partners in education and workforce development through its Center for Education and Workforce and by advocating for common-sense immigration reform to improve border security, provide permanent relief for Dreamers, and serve the nation’s economic interest, among several other initiatives.
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U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE U.S. WORKFORCE ......development through its Center for Education and Workforce and by advocating for common-sense immigration reform to improve border security,
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More Openings, Fewer Available WorkersSource: U.S. Chamber analysis of BLS data
U.S. Worker Availability RatioThe number of workers for each job opening in the United States Annual averages through October 2019
U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
U.S. WORKFORCE ANALYSISNEW STUDY REVEALS
TOO FEW WORKERS FOR JOB OPENINGS
A new analysis from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce shows that there are too few available workers nationwide to fill available job openings, evidence of a historically tight labor market for employers and a mounting threat to the U.S. economy’s continued growth.
In October 2019 (the latest month of available data), the Worker Availability Ratio—which measures the number of available workers for every job opening—fell to 0.88 workers per job opening (less than one available worker per vacancy), the lowest level recorded in nearly 20 years of government data.
The ratio has fallen steadily from a record high of 8 in December 2010 (during the Great Recession) and has averaged 2.8 (or about three workers per job opening) since 2001. Now, there is less than one worker available per job opening nationwide.
The 6.74 million available workers in October 2019 included 5.5 million active job seekers (corresponding to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ definition of unemployed) and 1.2 million others classified as “marginally attached,” who could begin work immediately but have not actively looked for work in the most recent month. Data are not seasonally adjusted.
The data reveal an important but overshadowed “gap” in the American workforce. While much attention has been given to the skills gap, that is, that too many people lack the skills they need to compete for jobs in today’s economy—our nation also faces a growing people gap: there are too few workers relative to demand.
The U.S. Chamber is working to address these challenges by mobilizing the business community to become engaged partners in education and workforce development through its Center for Education and Workforce and by advocating for common-sense immigration reform to improve border security, provide permanent relief for Dreamers, and serve the nation’s economic interest, among several other initiatives.
The Workforce Availability Ratio for every state is listed here, as well as the number of job openings and the number of available workers in that state.
The 10 states with the lowest WAR are highlighted. These states face the most significant workforce shortages, with fewer than three workers for every four jobs available (WAR < 0.75). Notably, no state has more than 1.5 available workers for every position, nor has any state seen its WAR ratio drop by less than 50 percent over the past decade.
All data reflect monthly averages for the 12-month period ending in June 2019, for which the most recent data is available.
MethodologyFor a detailed look at the report’s methodology see: uschamber.com/workforce-methodology