Yes, the market has gone steadily downhill in 2023, both for freelancers and for people looking for permanent work. I think it is recovering really slowly, let's see how the next few months shape up.

You have a point.

I think Sept 1 being a Friday may also have something to do with the low ratio.

Lots of folks look forward to the weekend which might cause some to prioritize other job-related activities to wrap up the week, as opposed to posting freelancer openings on HN.

Maybe the ratio will recover a bit on Monday ..

The last few months have been like this. I also think freelancers just find this thread and post the same message every month, but most don't upvote the post. So it's never on the front page, reaching few people who aren't freelancers. :(

maybe just people who have work opportunities aren't that much on HN. Most of my clients have never heard of HN.