Policy
What Work Does Generative AI Do?
Essays SEP 8, 2026
By: Alexander Bick, Adam Blandin, David Deming, Tyler Schumacher
AI, Tech & Energy
Labor, Wages & Worker Power
Browse All Resources
Blog
OCT 6, 2020
JOLTS Day Graphs: August 2020 Edition
By: Kate Bahn and Carmen Sanchez Cumming
Abstract
Every month the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics releases data on hiring, firing, and other labor market flows from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, better known as JOLTS. Today, the BLS released the latest data for August 2020. This report doesn’t get as much attention as the monthly Employment Situation Report, but it contains useful information about the state of the U.S. labor market. Below are a few key graphs using data from the report.
The quits rate declined slightly to 2.0% in August as the tenuous recovery stalled.
The vacancy yield edged up slightly as job openings declined and hires were unchanged. The steady hires rate was a result of increased government temporary hiring for the Decennial Census balanced by decreased hiring in accommodation and food services and healthcare and social assistance.
U.S. total nonfarm hires per total nonfarm job openings, 2001–2020
The ratio of unemployed-worker-per-opening dropped to nearly 2:1 as the slight decrease in job opening rate was offset by a greater decrease in the unemployment rate.
U.S. unemployed workers per total nonfarm job opening, 2001–2020.
The Beveridge Curve moved closer to its position prior to the pandemic, but remains in unprecedented territory as the unemployment rate remains elevated, alongside a job opening rate that has returned to its lower early 2020 levels.
The relationship between the U.S. unemployment rate and the job opening rate, 2001–2020
Related
Academic
What Work Does Generative AI Do?
Working Papers SEP 8, 2026
By: Alexander Bick, Adam Blandin, David Deming, Tyler Schumacher
AI, Tech & Energy
Labor, Wages & Worker Power
Policy
What happens to U.S. workers without access to Unemployment Insurance amid economic downturns or disruptions related to AI?
Essays SEP 2, 2026
By: Megan Rivera
AI, Tech & Energy
Economic Equity & Opportunity
Labor, Wages & Worker Power
Macroeconomics & Economic Measurement
Your Direct Line to Cutting-Edge Research
Get updates on our latest research, event announcements, and policy insights delivered straight to your inbox. Stay connected with the leading voices on equitable growth.