WASHINGTON—Economists applauded the nation’s robust recovery Friday after the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the addition of 178,000 new jobs in March, driven largely by a dramatic rise in Americans opting to stop looking for work and instead pursue exciting careers in couch reclining, YouTube scrolling, and competitive napping.

“It’s a hiring bonanza out there,” said Dr. Linda Stackman of the Institute for Labor Enthusiasm. “We’re seeing record-low unemployment strictly because people are no longer interested in being employed, which, mathematically, makes the labor market look amazing. Honestly, if everyone stopped trying, we’d hit zero unemployment in no time.”

The report noted that the unemployment rate hit 4.3%, a figure experts say could tumble even lower if a few more million Americans finally realize their dream of not updating their LinkedIn profiles. “The secret to a healthy job market? Crushing people’s will to apply,” explained Stackman. “We’re on the brink of a breakthrough.”

Jeff Millerson, now a pioneering member of the nation’s surging Not-Interested-Workforce, told reporters, “I used to worry about interviews and resumes, but then I discovered the liberating lifestyle of spontaneous unemployment. It’s like early retirement except without the money, health insurance, or happiness.”

Meanwhile, Secretary of Labor, Vanessa Klump, unveiled new incentives to help Americans stay out of the workforce even longer, including a proposed tax credit for high scores on Wordle and federal grants for record-breaking TV binge sessions. “We’re committed to creative solutions,” Klump announced. “The less you try, the better America looks on paper.”