Chart 1-13. Since early 2003, the number of hires generally
has exceeded separations
Thousands
6,000
5,500
Hires
5,000
4,500
Separations
4,000
3,500
3,000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
NOTE: Shaded area represents recession. Data are seasonally adjusted.
SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Chart 1-13. Since early 2003, the number of hires generally
has exceeded separations
• The average number of monthly hires and separations rose through 2003 and
2004, but showed little net change in 2005, with an average of 4.8 million hires
and 4.5 million separations per month.
• The number of hires and separations each month demonstrates that the amount
of turnover in the labor market dwarfs net changes in employment.
13