Labor Market Focus

Experts at the Kansas City Fed have developed a collection of research and resources exploring the impact of labor markets on the economy.

Monitoring the labor market is a key focus of the Federal Reserve in its mission to foster a stable and growing economy. Keeping a pulse on the supply and demand of jobs, wages and the demographics of the labor force is critical to understanding the health of local and national economies

The Kansas City Fed monitors the labor market through the work of experts and economists. Below, you’ll find an archive of the Bank’s latest research and resources related to labor.


152 result(s) found
Article Title Author(s) Date Type

Labor Constraints and Strong Demand Are Driving Robust Food Services Inflation

Although headline inflation has slowed in recent months, inflation for core services has remained elevated since the first half of 2021. Inflation for food services in particular has been significantly higher than inflation for goods and other services. We argue that food services inflation has been elevated by the sector’s fast rebound in expenditures and its high dependency on labor amid labor shortages and elevated labor costs.

Francisco Scott
Cortney Cowley Expandable Row
September 27, 2023
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Post-Pandemic Labor Shortages Have Limited the Effect of Monetary Policy on the Labor Market

The labor market has so far shown remarkable resilience to the Federal Reserve’s recent monetary policy tightening. Severe labor shortages in the post-pandemic era have led many employers to hold on to workers and hire less-skilled workers—even though they expect demand for their goods or services to weaken in the future. As a result, unemployment remains low, and labor productivity has declined.

Elior Cohen Expandable Row
September 22, 2023
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The KC Fed LMCI suggests the level of activity decreased, and momentum was little changed in August

The KC Fed LMCI suggests the level of activity decreased, and momentum was little changed in August.

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September 6, 2023
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Do Immigration Restrictions Affect Job Vacancies? Evidence from Online Job Postings

Employers in immigrant-reliant labor markets increased their job search efforts in response to the 2016–21 decline in immigration.

Elior Cohen
Samantha Shampine Expandable Row
August 17, 2023
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The Changing Landscape of the Traditional Office Environment

The look of the conventional office is changing, and that's creating an increase in office vacancy rates in Nebraska and the rest of the country.

Andrea Gallagher Expandable Row
August 15, 2023
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Nicholas Sly
Bethany Greene Expandable Row
July 6, 2023
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Nebraska Real Estate Markets Searching for Balance

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the use of space over the last three years, boosting demand for residential and industrial space and suppressing demand for office space.

Nate Kauffman
John McCoy Expandable Row
June 30, 2023
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José Mustre-del-Río Expandable Row
May 19, 2023
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Elior Cohen Expandable Row
May 16, 2023
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José Mustre-del-Río
Emily Pollard Expandable Row
May 15, 2023
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