(Photo: Agencies)

HOUSTON - The US Department of Labor announced on Thursday that the number of job openings and hires were little changed in January in the country.

On the last business day of December, the number and rate of job openings were little changed at 6.9 million and 4.6 percent, respectively. Over the year, the number of job openings (not seasonally adjusted) was little changed in January. Job openings decreased in a number of industries over the year with the largest decreases in accommodation and food services; state and local government, excluding education; and arts, entertainment, and recreation.

In January, the number and rate of hires were little changed at 5.3 million and 3.7 percent, respectively. The number of hires in January decreased over the year. Hires decreased in accommodation and food services; professional and business services; and health care and social assistance.

Over the month, the number of total separations decreased to 5.3 million and the total separations rate was little changed at 3.7 percent. Within separations, the quits rate was little changed at 2.3 percent and the layoffs and discharges rate was little changed at 1.2 percent.

Over the 12 months ending in January, hires totaled 72.4 million and separations totaled 81.2 million, yielding a net employment loss of 8.8 million. These totals include workers who may have been hired and separated more than once during the year.