The pandemic-wracked job market has continued to steadily heal since President Biden took office, helped along by mass vaccinations that have rekindled an economic reopening.
The latest sign: New unemployment filings — one proxy for layoffs — have hit pandemic-era lows in recent weeks. The data is volatile, but the milestone is noteworthy.
Unemployment applications have dropped since peaking last April, when over 6 million people filed for unemployment during a single week.
Yes, but: Over one year into the pandemic crisis, there are still more people filing for unemployment than during the worst week of the 2009 financial crisis.
In addition, 8.4 million fewer people are in the workforce compared to pre-pandemic times, the Labor Department said this month.
Of note: Axios Sneak Peek is counting down to Biden’s 100th day in office on Friday with data-driven analyses of the administration's accomplishments and challenges each day this week.