Experts predict steep tariffs could lead to a recession this year.

Data out Tuesday from The Conference Board indicates consumers think the tub is draining faster than it’s filling up.

The “official” rate only counts unemployed people who have looked in the last four weeks. Five other rates track other kinds of unemployment.

Data doesn’t always show a full picture. Example: Functional unemployment was 23.3% in January — very different than the 4% headline figure.

One reason for all the part-time work is the instability in the broader economy, one expert says.

Outside of chronically short-staffed sectors, many firms are finding qualified workers easily. Openings are scarce in some white-collar fields.

Private-sector hiring slowed down in February and small businesses cut jobs. Plus, new unemployment claims were up last week.

Unemployment was at 4.0% in January 2025. Since WWII, it’s never gone lower than 2.5% — which it reached for two months, in 1953.

China’s job hunters say there are fewer decent jobs and more applicants, whether they’re seeking manual work or office positions.

The low hiring rate reveals weakness despite low unemployment, says Kathryn Anne Edwards. Per the JOLTS report, openings declined in December.