“It’s fair to call this a hiring recession or a jobless boom,” said economist Heather Long.

2025 was marked by relatively strong job growth in the first few months, followed by cooling, with some months showing net job losses after revisions.

“It’s fair to call this a hiring recession or a jobless boom,” said economist Heather Long.

The job market flatlined in 2025. The first half of this year is expected to bring more of the same, economists said.