The Worker Shortage is Getting Worse

US Chamber of Commerce

Job openings in March were more than 11.5 million. This is 205,000 more openings than in February and a record, dating back to 2000.

Why it matters: The worker shortage crisis is getting worse with employers struggling to fill open roles.

By the numbers:

• Job openings increased in retail trade (155,000) and in durable goods manufacturing (50,000). 
• Job openings decreased in transportation, warehousing, and utilities (69,000); state and local government education (43,000); and federal government (20,000).
• Workers remain confident about leaving their current positions and finding new ones. In March, 4.5 million people quit their jobs – an all-time high. The quits rate was 3.0%, which matches the all-time high. 
• Quits increased in professional and business services (88,000) and construction (69,000).

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Bottom line: Along with inflation, the ongoing worker shortage crisis is a big problem for the economy right now, which is why the Chamber launched the America Works initiative.

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—Curtis Dubay, Senior Economist, U.S. Chamber of Commerce