October 17, 2023
Inflation and labor quality remain top concerns as small businesses see an increase in unfilled jobs.
Report Shows More Small Business Owners are Pessimistic About Future Conditions
- Small business owners expecting better business conditions over the next six months deteriorated six points from August to a net negative 43% seasonally adjusted; however, this is 18 percentage points better than last June’s reading of a net negative 61% and definitely is at recession levels.
- Forty-three percent (seasonally adjusted) of owners reported job openings that were hard to fill, up three points from August and remaining historically high as owners can’t hire enough workers due to few qualified applicants.
- Seasonally adjusted, a net 36% of owners reported raising compensation.
- The net percentage of owners raising average selling prices increased two points to a net 29% seasonally adjusted, still a very inflationary level.
Get to know NFIB
NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.
Related Articles


June 12, 2025
SCOTUS Allows IRS “Self-Help” Debt Collection
NFIB is discouraged by today’s decision at the U.S. Supreme Court in the…
Read More

June 12, 2025
VIDEO: NFIB’s Holly Wade Discusses Small Business Optimism on…
NFIB Research Center Executive Director Holly Wade joined Kristen Scholer o…
Read More

June 12, 2025
Washington Comment on Slightly Improved Small Business Conditio…
Entrepreneurs facing massive federal tax increases
Read More