Understanding the labor market from two perspectives.
No single metric tells the whole story of today’s labor market. That’s why the Monster Research Institute measures workforce health through two complementary indices that together provide a more complete understanding of how work is evolving.
The Monster Livelihood Index tracks worker readiness and resilience through quarterly survey research, measuring how prepared workers are to navigate economic uncertainty, adapt their skills, and pursue new opportunities.
The Monster Workforce Index measures hiring demand and labor market activity using proprietary marketplace data, tracking trends in employer demand, job availability, hiring activity, and labor market competition.
Together, these indices provide a comprehensive view of labor market conditions from both the worker and employer perspective.
Flagship indices measuring labor market demand and worker readiness
At the center of the MRI are two recurring indices measuring labor market demand and workforce adaptability.
Monster Livelihood Index
Q2 2026
A quarterly measure of worker readiness and resilience.
Measures four dimensions of workforce readiness:
- Economic Security
- Skill Portability
- Market Agency
- Future Readiness
Monster Workforce Index
June 2026
A monthly measure of hiring demand and labor market activity.
Tracks key indicators:
- Hiring Demand
- Job Availability
- Employer Hiring Activity
- Labor Market Competition