Apr 27, 2021 - Economy & Business

Biden's 100-day numbers: Unemployment claims

Data: Department of Labor; Chart: Danielle Alberti/Axios

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.

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