For what is worth, the job_seekers/opening ratio is usually published by the same agencies that provide unemployment rates. For instance, a quick search reveal

For what is worth, the job_seekers/opening ratio is usually published by the same agencies that provide unemployment rates. For instance, a quick search reveals that ratio was 3.5 in the US in May 2012 (down from 4.5 one year before), while it was only about 1.25 in Japan. https://mninews.deutsche-boerse.com/content/japan-may-job-offers-seekers-ratio-081-vs-apr-079 https://mninews.deutsche-boerse.com/content/japan-may-job-of... http://www.labor.ny.gov/stats/job-seekers-per-opening.shtm http://www.labor.ny.gov/stats/job-seekers-per-opening.shtm However, if we assume a 3.5 seeker/opening ratio then 600 applications/opening implies 171 applications per seeker, which sounds too high. Looking at the methodology, it's clear what the problem is: the denominator in the official seeker/opening ratio is simply the number of currently unemployed people. Those 600 applications must include people who are working, perhaps part-time, so technically not unemployed. I think your estimate sounds about right.