Overview of the Great Resignation. The Great Resignation continues to shape the workforce landscape in 2026. If you’ve recently left your job or are contemplating a change, you’re part of a larger trend that has reshaped employment dynamics across the United States. Since 2020, millions have reevaluated their jobs and career paths, leading to significant turnover. Here’s a snapshot of the latest statistics surrounding this phenomenon:
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In 2022, an average of 4 million Americans quit their jobs each month.
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August 2022 saw at least 4.2 million Americans resign from their positions.
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The highest recorded resignations occurred in November 2021, with 4.5 million individuals leaving their jobs.
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Throughout 2021, the average monthly resignation rate was 3.98 million workers.
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By the end of 2021, over 47 million Americans had quit their jobs.
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In 2022, 40% of employees were contemplating leaving their jobs within the next three to six months.
For deeper insights, we have categorized the data in the following ways:
Historical Quitting Trends | Quitters’ Reasons and Results | Job Quitter Demographics
Statistics by Industry
The Great Resignation has impacted various industries in distinct ways. Some sectors experienced massive employee turnover while others remained relatively stable. Here’s a breakdown of the statistics:
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The Accommodation and Food Services industry experienced the highest turnover in 2021, with 892,000 workers leaving their jobs.
The quit rate in this sector peaked in November 2021 at 6.9%, the highest among all industries that year. Other sectors with significant resignations included Retail Trade (721,000) and Professional & Business Services (706,000).
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Three major industries recorded quit rates exceeding 4% in 2021.
These included Accommodation and Food Services (6.9%), Leisure and Hospitality (6.4%), and Retail Trade (4.7%).
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The Federal Government sector had the lowest quit rate in 2021, at only 0.7%.
This disparity means that the Accommodation and Food Services sector saw nearly 7 times more resignations compared to Federal Government roles. Other sectors with quit rates below 2% included State and Local Government (1%) and Financial Activities (1.7%).
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In November 2021, 36.8% more individuals resigned compared to November 2020.
Approximately 3.3 million people quit in November 2020, a figure that rose to 4.5 million in 2021. Furthermore, April 2020 compared to April 2021 showed a staggering 90.5% increase in resignations (from 2.1 million to 4 million).
Historical Quitting Trends
The Great Resignation marks a pivotal moment in employment history. Since the onset of the pandemic, resignation rates have reached unprecedented levels. Here’s a look at the data:
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In 2021, an average of 3.98 million individuals quit their jobs each month.
November had the highest resignations at 4.5 million, while January recorded the least with 3.3 million. These figures are remarkable considering the peak of resignations in 2020 was only 3.4 million.
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From 2019-2021, the monthly quit rate fluctuated between 2-3%.
This rate is significantly higher than the record low of 1.2% recorded in 2009, indicating a resilient labor market even before the pandemic’s impact.
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Comparing November 2021 to November 2012, resignations increased by 125%.
In November 2012, approximately 2 million people quit their jobs, while in 2021, that number surged to 4.5 million.
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In January 2022, there were 11.26 million job openings in the U.S.
This marked a significant increase from January 2021’s 7.23 million openings, a rise of 55.75% within a year.
Reasons for Quitting
Understanding why employees are leaving their jobs is crucial, especially as many rely on their positions for essential benefits. Here are the key reasons identified:
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37% of Americans report “low pay” as a primary reason for quitting.
This is the most cited reason, with an additional 26% indicating it as a minor factor. Consequently, at least 63% of individuals left their jobs due to inadequate compensation.
Other common reasons included a lack of advancement opportunities (63%), feeling disrespected at work (57%), childcare issues (48%), lack of flexibility (45%), and insufficient benefits (43%).
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18% of workers left due to mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies.
This reason reflects the polarized opinions surrounding vaccine mandates during the pandemic, emphasizing the intersection of personal beliefs and employment.
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94% of those who quit in 2021 found it at least somewhat easy to secure a new role.
With job availability rising by over 55% between 2021 and 2022, it is not surprising that many found new employment quickly, with 61% stating it was somewhat easy and 33% indicating it was very easy.
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55% of individuals who quit now hold full-time positions.
While 23% opted for part-time roles due to previous benefits issues, many pursued full-time opportunities following their resignations.
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42% of those who transitioned to new jobs report improved benefits.
In contrast, 36% claimed their benefits remained the same while 23% reported a decline in benefits, indicating a mixed outcome for those switching roles.
Demographics of Job Quitters
The Great Resignation is characterized by diverse demographics. The U.S. workforce reflects various ages, educational backgrounds, and more. Here’s what our research uncovered:
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Individuals with a high school diploma or less were more likely to quit, with 22% resigning.
Generally, higher education correlates with lower resignation rates: 20% of those with some college quit, 17% of bachelor’s degree holders, and only 13% of postgraduates.
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Young adults aged 18-29 had the highest resignation rate at 37% in 2021.
In comparison, 17% of those aged 30-49, 9% of those aged 50-64, and only 5% of individuals aged 65 and older left their jobs.
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Women were 11% more likely to resign than men.
Throughout 2021, 20% of women quit their jobs compared to 18% of men.
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Hispanic and Asian workers had the highest resignation rates at 24% each.
Conversely, 18% of Black Americans and 17% of White Americans left their jobs, indicating that race had a lesser impact on resignation rates compared to other factors.
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Lower-income workers were twice as likely to quit compared to those in higher income brackets.
24% of low-income employees resigned in 2021, compared to 18% of middle-income and only 11% of high-income employees, highlighting the correlation between pay and job dissatisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the main causes of the Great Resignation?
Four primary factors contribute to the Great Resignation:
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Job Openings. Various sectors, especially accommodations, food service, leisure, and hospitality, have seen an influx of new job openings due to recovery from the pandemic.
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Burnout. The pandemic exacerbated burnout levels, particularly within the healthcare sector, prompting many to leave their positions.
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Preference for Remote Work. Many employees have discovered a preference for remote work, leading to resistance against returning to in-person settings.
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Reevaluation of Priorities. The pandemic prompted many to reassess their life priorities, leading to feelings of being overworked or undervalued and a desire to seek new opportunities.
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How does the Great Resignation compare to past trends in job quits?
The Great Resignation represents a significant shift compared to past trends. For instance, more than double the number of people quit their jobs monthly compared to ten years ago. The quit rate for 2021 was 115% higher than in 2011.
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How long will the Great Resignation continue?
Experts suggest the Great Resignation will persist through 2026. Although 2021 marked the peak, trends are expected to continue shaping the labor market as employees seek better conditions.
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Who is affected by the Great Resignation?
Both workers and employers are impacted. Employees aged 18-29 and those with lower incomes are among the most affected demographics. Employers are forced to adapt to labor shortages, driving up wages and improving working conditions.
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Is the Great Resignation a global phenomenon?
The Great Resignation has global implications, though it varies by region. Countries like Germany, Japan, and others have observed similar trends, although Canada has not experienced a comparable wave of resignations.
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Is 2022 a good time for a job change?
Yes, 2022 remains a favorable time for job changes. The job market is saturated with opportunities, leading to competitive pay and enhanced benefits across various sectors.
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Will the job market improve in 2022?
Improvement is expected in 2022, but the market may not return to pre-pandemic conditions. While the number of jobs needing recovery has decreased significantly, the competitive landscape will continue to evolve.
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How many Americans quit their jobs in 2021?
47 million Americans left their jobs in 2021. An average of 3.98 million workers resigned monthly, peaking in November with 4.5 million quits. This represented approximately 23.5% of the total U.S. workforce.
Conclusion
The Great Resignation has significantly reshaped the job market, with over 47 million Americans resigning in 2021 alone. This trend continues to influence how individuals approach their careers, leading many to reconsider not just their jobs but entire career paths. Furthermore, it has prompted shifts in work locations and the quest for a better work-life balance.
Overall, the Great Resignation has created a more competitive job market, with employers offering higher wages, improved benefits, and more flexible working conditions. While challenges remain for companies, this trend ultimately pushes them to adapt and enhance their workplace environments.
Sources:
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CNBC. “The Great Resignation is still in full swing. Here’s what to know.” Accessed on April 3rd, 2022.
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The Conversation. “The ‘great resignation’: Historical data and a deeper analysis show it’s not as great as screaming headlines suggest.” Accessed on April 3rd, 2022.
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Smartest Dollar. “U.S. Industries Where the Most Workers Are Quitting Their Jobs [2021 Edition].” Accessed on April 3rd, 2022.
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SHRM. “Interactive Chart: How Historic Has the Great Resignation Been?” Accessed on April 3rd, 2022.
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Pew Research Center. “Majority of workers who quit a job in 2021 cite low pay, no opportunities for advancement, feeling disrespected.” Accessed on April 4th, 2022.
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Pew Research Center. “Monthly job openings in the United States from January 2021 to January 2022.” Accessed on April 4th, 2022.
Author
Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.
