NEW HAMPSHIRE faces an alarming labor crisis. In areas including construction, nursing, and law enforcement, job vacancies are mounting while job seekers remain scarce.
According to the U.S. Chamber’s Worker Shortage Index, New Hampshire has just 0.69 available workers for every 1.00 job opening — meaning only 69 workers are available for each 100 vacancies. With roughly 34,000 open jobs and just 23,471 unemployed workers, the math reveals a simple truth: there just aren’t enough jobseekers to meet demand.
The consequences are visible in every corner of the state. Hospitals and health centers are struggling to fill shifts. Construction firms report constant difficulty hiring skilled trades, delaying housing projects and infrastructure upgrades. Even law enforcement agencies, already stretched thin, are competing fiercely for recruits.