There were 6.2 unemployed workers per job opening in November 2009, the highest ratio of unemployed workers per open position since a survey by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor statistics began tracking job openings in 2000.

During the recession, unemployment has increased while the number of job openings has decreased. In 2006, there were about 1.5 unemployed workers per job opening.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the job-opening ratio began to increase in March 2007, slowly at first and then rapidly beginning in May 2008. The bureau notes in the previous recession, the ratio continued to increase long after the official end of the recession. However, the ratio did dip significantly in January 2010, down to 5.4 jobless workers per open position.