John Cawley
@johncawley.bsky.social
Daniel Patrick Moynihan Chair in Public Policy, @maxwellsu.bsky.social. Also @cprmaxwell.bsky.social @nber.org, @uniofgalway.bsky.social, AEA Committee on the Job Market. Studying health economics and policy, economics of risky behaviors.
A relative bright spot is hiring in the private sector - while low, it is still comparable to that in some recent years.
November 25, 2025 at 5:23 PM
A relative bright spot is hiring in the private sector - while low, it is still comparable to that in some recent years.
Due to DOGE cuts and then the shutdown, the number of listings for jobs in the US Federal government is down about 75% compared to recent years. Virtually no new jobs in the Federal government have been posted for the past 10 weeks.
November 25, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Due to DOGE cuts and then the shutdown, the number of listings for jobs in the US Federal government is down about 75% compared to recent years. Virtually no new jobs in the Federal government have been posted for the past 10 weeks.
The number of nonacademic jobs on JOE is down 27.8% from last year and also considerably (41.5%) lower than during COVID.
November 25, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The number of nonacademic jobs on JOE is down 27.8% from last year and also considerably (41.5%) lower than during COVID.
The number of full-time academic jobs outside the U.S. listed on JOE is down 14.9% from last year, and is 20.3% lower than during COVID (2020).
November 25, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The number of full-time academic jobs outside the U.S. listed on JOE is down 14.9% from last year, and is 20.3% lower than during COVID (2020).
Demand for Econ PhDs is down among both 4-year colleges and at universities with a grad program in the U.S.
November 25, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Demand for Econ PhDs is down among both 4-year colleges and at universities with a grad program in the U.S.
In terms of full-time academic jobs in the US, it is definitely better than during COVID (33.2% more job listings), but clearly worse than all years since (e.g. 34.6% fewer listings than this time last year).
November 25, 2025 at 5:23 PM
In terms of full-time academic jobs in the US, it is definitely better than during COVID (33.2% more job listings), but clearly worse than all years since (e.g. 34.6% fewer listings than this time last year).
A pre-Thanksgiving update on the #EconJobMarket, with data as of Nov 23. Based on total # of job listings on JOE, this year continues to be even weaker (by 14.3%) than during COVID (2020). 1/many #EconSky
November 25, 2025 at 5:23 PM
A pre-Thanksgiving update on the #EconJobMarket, with data as of Nov 23. Based on total # of job listings on JOE, this year continues to be even weaker (by 14.3%) than during COVID (2020). 1/many #EconSky
Looking forward to seeing everyone at #2025APPAM in Seattle!
(Fingers crossed regarding flight delays/cancellations...)
CC: @appam.bsky.social @maxwellsu.bsky.social
(Fingers crossed regarding flight delays/cancellations...)
CC: @appam.bsky.social @maxwellsu.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Looking forward to seeing everyone at #2025APPAM in Seattle!
(Fingers crossed regarding flight delays/cancellations...)
CC: @appam.bsky.social @maxwellsu.bsky.social
(Fingers crossed regarding flight delays/cancellations...)
CC: @appam.bsky.social @maxwellsu.bsky.social
A relative bright spot is hiring in the private sector - while low, it is still comparable to that in some recent years.
November 5, 2025 at 10:11 PM
A relative bright spot is hiring in the private sector - while low, it is still comparable to that in some recent years.
Due to DOGE cuts and then the shutdown, the number of listings for jobs in the US Federal government is down about 75% compared to recent years.
November 5, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Due to DOGE cuts and then the shutdown, the number of listings for jobs in the US Federal government is down about 75% compared to recent years.
The number of nonacademic jobs on JOE is also lower than during COVID - 38.2% lower.
November 5, 2025 at 10:11 PM
The number of nonacademic jobs on JOE is also lower than during COVID - 38.2% lower.
The number of full-time academic jobs outside the U.S. listed on JOE is down, and lower than during COVID. Could partly be due to increased formalization of European mkt and perhaps less use of JOE.
November 5, 2025 at 10:11 PM
The number of full-time academic jobs outside the U.S. listed on JOE is down, and lower than during COVID. Could partly be due to increased formalization of European mkt and perhaps less use of JOE.
Among full-time academic jobs in the US, the demand is perhaps better at 4-year colleges than at universities with a grad program.
November 5, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Among full-time academic jobs in the US, the demand is perhaps better at 4-year colleges than at universities with a grad program.
In terms of full-time academic jobs in the US, it is definitely better than during COVID (56.8% more listings), but clearly worse than all years since (e.g. 35.1% fewer listings than this time last year).
November 5, 2025 at 10:11 PM
In terms of full-time academic jobs in the US, it is definitely better than during COVID (56.8% more listings), but clearly worse than all years since (e.g. 35.1% fewer listings than this time last year).
New data on the #EconJobMarket as of Nov 2. Based on total # of job listings on JOE, this year continues to be even weaker (by 11%) than during COVID (2020). 1/many #EconSky
November 5, 2025 at 10:11 PM
New data on the #EconJobMarket as of Nov 2. Based on total # of job listings on JOE, this year continues to be even weaker (by 11%) than during COVID (2020). 1/many #EconSky
Fewer full-time non-academic job openings than during COVID, with jobs in the US Federal Govt particularly low (not surprising given DOGE and the shutdown)
October 20, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Fewer full-time non-academic job openings than during COVID, with jobs in the US Federal Govt particularly low (not surprising given DOGE and the shutdown)
FT academic jobs outside the US also down, and worse than during COVID (2020).
October 20, 2025 at 3:14 PM
FT academic jobs outside the US also down, and worse than during COVID (2020).
Relatively speaking, it's a worse year for jobs in research univ than in liberal arts colleges/teaching institutions
October 20, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Relatively speaking, it's a worse year for jobs in research univ than in liberal arts colleges/teaching institutions
Updated graphs posted on the JOE website, with data thru Oct 19.
In brief: # full-time academic jobs in US definitely higher than during COVID (2020) but considerably lower than every other year since.
www.aeaweb.org/about-aea/co...
In brief: # full-time academic jobs in US definitely higher than during COVID (2020) but considerably lower than every other year since.
www.aeaweb.org/about-aea/co...
October 20, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Updated graphs posted on the JOE website, with data thru Oct 19.
In brief: # full-time academic jobs in US definitely higher than during COVID (2020) but considerably lower than every other year since.
www.aeaweb.org/about-aea/co...
In brief: # full-time academic jobs in US definitely higher than during COVID (2020) but considerably lower than every other year since.
www.aeaweb.org/about-aea/co...
Zero new jobs in the federal government posted on JOE in the past three weeks.
Not surprising given the government shutdown (which began Oct 1), but still grim. At least two-thirds fewer such jobs posted in 2025 than in each of the past six years at this time.
#econjobmarket
Not surprising given the government shutdown (which began Oct 1), but still grim. At least two-thirds fewer such jobs posted in 2025 than in each of the past six years at this time.
#econjobmarket
October 13, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Zero new jobs in the federal government posted on JOE in the past three weeks.
Not surprising given the government shutdown (which began Oct 1), but still grim. At least two-thirds fewer such jobs posted in 2025 than in each of the past six years at this time.
#econjobmarket
Not surprising given the government shutdown (which began Oct 1), but still grim. At least two-thirds fewer such jobs posted in 2025 than in each of the past six years at this time.
#econjobmarket
More new data: # jobs in banking/finance/business/industry: on the low side but similar to the # jobs in 2023 and 2024.
October 9, 2025 at 7:13 PM
More new data: # jobs in banking/finance/business/industry: on the low side but similar to the # jobs in 2023 and 2024.
More new data: # jobs in consulting or research: here things look pretty good, with the # of jobs around average for the past 6 years.
October 9, 2025 at 7:13 PM
More new data: # jobs in consulting or research: here things look pretty good, with the # of jobs around average for the past 6 years.
New data: # jobs in Federal Government - down 40% or more compared to every year since 2019. Not surprising given the DOGE cuts and government shutdown, but still unpleasant to see.
October 9, 2025 at 7:13 PM
New data: # jobs in Federal Government - down 40% or more compared to every year since 2019. Not surprising given the DOGE cuts and government shutdown, but still unpleasant to see.
Full-time nonacademic jobs (anywhere in world): -20.8% fewer now than even in the worst COVID year (2020). Let's next look within subcategories...
October 9, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Full-time nonacademic jobs (anywhere in world): -20.8% fewer now than even in the worst COVID year (2020). Let's next look within subcategories...
Listings on JOE for full-time jobs at non-US academic institutions. Perhaps surprisingly, lower (-13.2%) than even the worst COVID year (2020). Non-US universities may be missing an incredible opportunity to scoop up really good job candidates.
October 9, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Listings on JOE for full-time jobs at non-US academic institutions. Perhaps surprisingly, lower (-13.2%) than even the worst COVID year (2020). Non-US universities may be missing an incredible opportunity to scoop up really good job candidates.