Job Openings Plunge to Lowest Since 2021 as Revised Data Paints a Grim Picture for Kamala Harris with Election Days Away

The labor market seems to be losing momentum, heightening concerns that businesses are hesitant to hire as rising interest rates dampen investment and uncertainty lingers over consumer demand.

Job openings declined in September, with August figures also revised downward, bringing the three-month moving average to its lowest point since the spring 2021 reopening.

In September, there were fewer than 1.1 job vacancies available for each unemployed worker.

Continuing Trend of Downward Revisions

In August, employers added 142,000 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday. This marks a weaker-than-expected result for the second month in a row.

Additionally, job totals for June and July were revised downward by a combined 86,000 positions, dragging the three-month average to just 116,000 jobs—a significant signal that hiring is slowing. This downward revision comes on the heels of another massive revision a few weeks ago.

Massive Jobs Data Revision, Largest Since the Great Financial Crisis

Each year, the BLS revises the data from its monthly payroll survey of businesses and benchmarks the March employment level against figures from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) data.

This year’s preliminary data reveals the largest downward revision since 2009, indicating that the labor market wasn’t as robust as initially portrayed.

818,000 Fewer Jobs

The U.S. economy created 818,000 fewer jobs than originally reported in the 12 months leading up to March 2024, the Labor Department revealed on August 21st.

In its preliminary annual benchmark revisions to the nonfarm payroll numbers, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that actual job growth was nearly 30% lower than the initially reported 2.9 million jobs from April 2023 to March 2024.

Job Opening Rate Falls to a Four-Year Low

It was bad news for the private sector workers in September.

The layoff rate jumped to 1.3%.

The job openings rate fell to 4.7% which is a four year low.

Economy in Recession?

A weak jobs report shifted attention to the slowing labor market. The report revealed a weaker-than-expected showing for the third consecutive month.

Focus Shifts to the Federal Reserve

The Federal Reserve cut the interest rates at the last meeting to help the job market. Although the Fed delivered a 50-basis-point cut, the employment numbers still look gloomy.

The focus now shifts to the next Fed meeting. However, with the bond market pushing the 10-year higher; the Fed may have limited options.

Biden-Harris Administration’s Economic Performance

The new data comes at a critical political moment as Vice President Kamala Harris seeks to build momentum as the Democrats’ new presidential nominee and reshape voters’ perceptions of the Biden administration’s economic performance.

The White House, along with Harris, has struggled to persuade Americans that, despite widespread public unease about the U.S. economy, things are actually going well and that inflation has been controlled without severely harming the labor market.

Biden’s Job Creation Claim No Longer True

At the Democratic National Convention, Joe Biden proudly claimed to have created 16 million new jobs as president, rounding up from 15.8 million.

However, after the downward revision by BLS, that claim is no longer accurate.

Americans Worried About the Economy

In Gallup polling from July, fewer than 25% of Americans rated the U.S. economy as good or excellent for most of the past year.

Any negative economic news in the coming months could provide an advantage to Trump in the upcoming election.

The Gallup Economic Confidence Index measured in April, reflecting American sentiment on current economic conditions marked the first decline in economic confidence in the past seven months.

Over Two-Thirds Say Economic Outlook Is Declining

When queried on the direction of the economy, 29% of Americans believe conditions are improving, while 67% feel they are deteriorating.

Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index offers a measure of American sentiment toward current economic conditions—ranging from excellent to poor—and their expectations for its trajectory, improving or worsening.

Political Views: All Groups Reported Declines

As often observed, there is a significant divergence in economic evaluations between supporters of the president’s party and the opposition, with the former typically more positive.

This past month, all political groups reported a decline in economic confidence, with Republicans and independents experiencing a more pronounced drop than Democrats.

Democrats have consistently been the most optimistic about the economy among the three party groups since Biden took office. However, their current Economic Confidence Index (ECI) score fell from 35 in March to 31 in April.

Republicans have largely held a negative perception of the economy during Biden’s term, and their April assessment worsened from -62 in March to -71, though this is an improvement from their -77 score in November.

Independents‘ ECI score of -38 marks a 10-point drop since last month.

Inflation Top Concern

For the third consecutive year, the proportion of Americans identifying inflation or high living costs as their family’s top financial problem has hit a new peak. This year, 41% cite the issue, a slight increase from 35% last year.

The latest findings come from Gallup’s annual Economy and Personal Finance poll, conducted between April 1 and 22, 2024. Since 2005, Gallup has asked Americans annually to name the top financial problem facing their family without prompting.

Inflation has been the leading concern for the past three years.

Other Financial Problems

This year, the cost of owning or renting a home follows inflation as the second most pressing issue at 14%, a new high for this category.

Other major concerns Americans mention include excessive debt (8%), healthcare expenses (7%), low wages or lack of funds (7%), and energy costs or gas prices (6%).

The increase in cost of owing and renting homes has crushed average Americans. 

Zillow’s recent research report sheds light on the reality facing today’s homebuyers, indicating a significant shift in the financial landscape since 2020. To afford a home in the current market, individuals need to earn $47,000 more than they did just a few years ago, pushing the required annual income to over $106,000.

Redfin’s recent research, which delved into housing and income statistics, mirrors these findings, highlighting the widening gap between home affordability and average earnings. Their analysis reveals that the average household’s income falls short by about $30,000 of what is necessary to purchase a median-priced home in the U.S.

To afford such a home today, a buyer must earn $114,000 annually—35% more than what the typical household earns.

Surging Transportation and Food Costs Crushing Americans

Between 2019 and 2023, the all-food Consumer Price Index (CPI) surged by 25 percent, surpassing the growth rate of the all-items CPI, which stood at 19.2 percent during the same period.

While food prices saw a rise lower than the 27.1 percent increase in transportation costs, they outpaced the upticks in housing, medical care, and all other primary categories.

Demographic Breakdown of Inflation Concerns

Inflation is the top financial concern across all major societal groups, though certain age, income, and political segments express higher levels of concern.

Among older Americans (50+), 46% cite inflation as their primary worry, compared to 36% of younger Americans (under 50).

Middle-income earners (46%) and upper-income earners (41% of those making $100,000 or more annually) are more concerned about inflation than lower-income individuals (31% of those with incomes under $40,000).

The issue is most pressing for Republicans, with 56% naming it their top financial problem, followed by 39% of independents and 26% of Democrats.

Concerns About Maintaining Standard of Living

Retirement and medical emergencies are additional sources of concern. A separate survey question asks Americans to rate their level of worry about eight specific personal financial issues, not including inflation.

However, inflation’s impact is seen in the increased percentage of those anxious about maintaining their standard of living.

Fifty-five percent express significant or moderate worry about sustaining their lifestyle, marking the third consecutive year where a majority has held this concern.

Social Security and Medicare Insolvency

Concerns about maintaining one’s standard of living rank among the top three economic worries for Americans, alongside fears of insufficient retirement savings and the inability to cover medical expenses in case of a serious illness or accident.

The Trustees of Social Security and Medicare unveiled their yearly financial forecasts for both programs, looking ahead over the next 75 years. The newly released projections for Social Security paint a grim picture of rapid progression towards insolvency in 10 years, underscoring the urgent need for trust fund remedies to avert widespread benefit reductions or sudden adjustments in taxes or benefits.

Perceptions of Personal Finances Stay Low

Forty-six percent of Americans view their personal finances as excellent or good, consistent with the past two years’ figures but worse than the assessments recorded from 2017 to 2021.

Americans Say Their Finances Are Deteriorating

47% now believe their financial situation is worsening, marking a 17-point increase since 2021.

Inflation remains a significant concern for Americans and may explain why fewer than half feel optimistic about their financial situation. It’s not only seen as the most pressing financial problem for families, but it also ranks high among the domestic issues Americans worry about most.

Inflation is only surpassed by concerns over immigration, government, and the economy as a whole when Americans are asked about the nation’s most critical problems.

Although the U.S. inflation rate has decreased notably from its 2022 peak, this improvement hasn’t changed Americans’ views on their finances.

The lingering effect of higher prices over recent years, coupled with inflation staying above the lower rates seen between 2012 and 2020, could be influencing these perceptions. Recent government reports suggest inflation might be on the rise again, which has led the Federal Reserve to postpone expected interest rate cuts this year.

 

Election Implications

 

The declining economic confidence index coupled with the revised lower job numbers highlights Americans’ mounting concerns over inflation, financial stability, and the broader economy. As pressures on household finances persist, political leaders and policymakers must address these issues to restore confidence. The sustained worries could play a significant role in shaping the outcome of the upcoming elections and future economic policies.

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