I quit: 4 million Americans quit their jobs in April, almost twice the number from a year ago

6/22/21 8:00PM

Recent polls reported on by Axios revealed that anywhere from 25-40% of Americans were thinking about quitting their jobs — and in April 4 million of them seemingly acted on that urge. That's almost double the number from April of last year when just 2.1 million said "I quit".

When we charted this data last year, it was clear that there were probably millions of people who wanted to quit their jobs, but couldn't justify it in the peak-pandemic climate of uncertainty. Clearly those people are feeling little less anxious about things — and it's a good sign for the economy.

‍Quitting is good?

‍Lots of people quitting their jobs is a pretty solid endorsement of the economy. The quitters expect to be fine and go on to bigger and better things. It also (hopefully) means that people are pursuing jobs they really want, and that firms can get the people they really want.

The other factor contributing to quitting mania is the different approach companies are taking to remote work. With some completely embracing remote work, and others mostly returning to their old ways, it's likely we get a sustained period of upheaval in the job market as we all look for that perfect work-from-home / work-from-work balance.

Tom Jones5h

The UAE’s OPEC exit will hit the group in the barrels

After just shy of 60 years in OPEC, its membership even predating its status as a nation-state, the United Arab Emirates yesterday announced its shocking departure from the oil production group, effective May 1, as the knock-on effects of the Iran war continue to play out across the Middle East and the energy landscape.

For context, the UAE produces the third-highest amount of oil in the group, per April data and OPEC’s latest set of annual statistics.

According to the cartel’s 2025 Annual Statistical Bulletin, the OPEC group was collectively exporting some 19 million barrels of crude oil a day last year, with the United Arab Emirates accounting for some 14% of that daily output.

UAExit means UAExit

The nation, whose energy minister told Reuters yesterday that the decision was taken “after a careful look at current and future policies related to level of production” and wasn’t made following discussions with any other country, made up a healthy share of the group’s total confirmed crude oil reserves, as well.

Of the 12 nations in the core group, which was founded by just five oil superpowers back in September 1960, only two (Iraq and Saudi Arabia) exported more barrels of crude oil daily, pumping out 3.36 million and 6.05 million barrels, respectively, each day to nations around the world.

For its part, the UAE said it will “continue its responsible role by gradually and thoughtfully increasing production, in line with demand and market conditions,” per the official state news agency. Clearly, the nation now wants a little more control of just how much oil it can pump around the world, with the UAE having to eat a large proportion of lost revenues due to its healthy abundance and OPEC restrictions.