Employment fell by 3.1 million jobs during 2008. The job losses were more widespread and severe than during the previous two recessions in 1990-1991 and 2001 and in fact the fall in employment is comparable to that in the deeper recession of 1981-1982.
Source:
Laura A. Kelter. 2009. Substantial Job Losses in 2008. Monthly Labor Review. See: http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2009/03/art2full.pdf18
Image Title:
Job losses in four recessions, percent decline in employment from peak month