Quits and unemployment in downturns and recoveries, 2001–2019
| Annual quit rate | Annual quit level (millions) | Civilian unemployment level (millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 31.6% | 41.8 | 6.8 |
| 2003 | 25.8% | 33.6 | 8.8 |
| 2007 | 28.5% | 39.2 | 7.1 |
| 2009 | 17.9% | 23.6 | 14.3 |
| 2019 | 29.8% | 45.0 | 6.0 |
| Changes: | |||
| Downturns | |||
| 2001–2003 | -5.8% | -8.2 | 1.9 |
| 2007–2009 | -10.5% | -15.7 | 7.2 |
| Recoveries | |||
| 2003–2007 | 2.7% | 5.6 | -1.7 |
| 2009–2019 | 11.9% | 21.4 | -8.3 |
Source: Quits data from Davis, Faberman, and Haltiwanger (2011), updated June 2021. EPI analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey and Current Population Survey.