As of March, the number of Delaware job openings fell from February figures. However, the state continues to have a high ratio of job openings to applicants.
According to the Delaware Department of Labor, job openings fell by 2,000 from February to 30,000, with 6,000 fewer job openings than in March 2023.
The number of unemployed workers also declined by 300 to 20,000 over the month, leading to 10,000 more job openings than workers looking for jobs. Delaware now has a 3.9% unemployment rate, the same figure as the nation.
Delaware’s ratio of job openings to unemployed workers fell from 1.6 to 1.5, but it still ranked second in the region.
Maryland had the region’s highest ratio, with 2.4 job openings per unemployed worker, followed by Pennsylvania at 1.3. New Jersey had the lowest ratio, at 1.1. The US ratio fell in March from 1.4 to 1.3.
On a related note, the state Department of Labor earlier reported that Delaware’s job participation rate in April dropped to its lowest level since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The participation rate reflects those who are no longer seeking employment. Reasons can range from retirement to spouses staying home due to high child care costs.
Delaware job opening statistics are based on the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). More information from the JOLTS program can be found at www.bls.gov/jlt/.
