- Industry
- 1 min read
US jobless claims rose to 215,000 last week, but layoffs remain near historic lows, signalling continued workforce stability. While employers are largely retaining workers, rising continuing claims suggest hiring remains subdued and jobseekers may be taking longer to find new opportunities.
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits increased to 215,000 in the week ending 23 May, up from 210,000 the previous week, according to data from the US Labor Department. Despite the rise, layoffs remain low by historical standards, suggesting employers continue to hold on to workers amid ongoing economic uncertainty.
The four-week moving average of jobless claims, which smooths out weekly fluctuations, climbed to 209,000. Economists noted that the increase is relatively minor within a labour market of roughly 159 million workers and does not signal a significant deterioration in employment conditions.
For workforce leaders, the figures reinforce a continuing trend of labour market resilience. Weekly unemployment claims have largely remained within the 190,000–230,000 range throughout 2026, reflecting limited job-cutting activity despite pressures ranging from geopolitical uncertainty to ongoing AI-driven restructuring in parts of the technology sector.
However, the data also points to challenges on the hiring front. Continuing claims, which indicate the number of people receiving unemployment benefits after their initial claim and are often viewed as a proxy for hiring conditions, increased by 15,000 to 1.786 million. This suggests that while employers are not conducting widespread layoffs, unemployed workers may be taking longer to secure new roles.
The broader US labour market remains characterised by a "low-hire, low-fire" environment, where workforce retention remains high but recruitment activity is comparatively restrained. The unemployment rate is expected to remain at 4.3%, reflecting continued labour market stability even as economic and geopolitical uncertainties persist.
The four-week moving average of jobless claims, which smooths out weekly fluctuations, climbed to 209,000. Economists noted that the increase is relatively minor within a labour market of roughly 159 million workers and does not signal a significant deterioration in employment conditions.
For workforce leaders, the figures reinforce a continuing trend of labour market resilience. Weekly unemployment claims have largely remained within the 190,000–230,000 range throughout 2026, reflecting limited job-cutting activity despite pressures ranging from geopolitical uncertainty to ongoing AI-driven restructuring in parts of the technology sector.
However, the data also points to challenges on the hiring front. Continuing claims, which indicate the number of people receiving unemployment benefits after their initial claim and are often viewed as a proxy for hiring conditions, increased by 15,000 to 1.786 million. This suggests that while employers are not conducting widespread layoffs, unemployed workers may be taking longer to secure new roles.
The broader US labour market remains characterised by a "low-hire, low-fire" environment, where workforce retention remains high but recruitment activity is comparatively restrained. The unemployment rate is expected to remain at 4.3%, reflecting continued labour market stability even as economic and geopolitical uncertainties persist.