No Change in Arkansas Unemployment Rate
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: January 25, 2011
The newest unemployment numbers for Arkansas show no change from November to December.
Arkansas’ seasonally adjusted jobless rate remained constant at 7.9 percent last month.
The United States’ jobless rate dropped four-tenths of a percentage point from 9.8-percent in November to 9.4-percent in December.
Arkansas’ civilian labor force increased 7,400, a result of 6,100 more employed and 1,300 more unemployed Arkansans.
DWS Communications Director Kimberly Friedman said, “Arkansas’ civilian labor force and the number of employed increased for the third consecutive month. Also, the number of unemployed increased at a slower pace the last two months. These factors contributed to the rate’s stabilization in December.”
Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll jobs declined 6,100 in December to total 1,171,000. Six major industry sectors posted job losses, more than offsetting gains in four sectors. One sector remained the same.
Other services posted the largest decrease (-3,000). The loss was due in part to reported declines in membership associations and organizations.
Employment in leisure and hospitality dropped 2,200. Seasonal decreases were noted in all subsectors, with jobs in food services down 1,400.
Trade, transportation and utilities declined 1,300. Wholesale trade and transportation-warehousing-utilities posted losses, more than offsetting the increase in retail trade.
Professional and business services gained 1,400 jobs. Most of the addition occurred in administrative and support services (+1,200), caused in part by expansions in employment services and services to buildings and dwellings.
Nonfarm payroll employment increased 12,300 since December 2009. Seven major industry sectors posted growth, with five adding 1,000 or more jobs, each. Four sectors experienced declines.
Educational and health services enjoyed the largest gain (+7,300). A majority of the advancement occurred in vocational rehabilitation services, nursing care facilities, general medical hospitals, and child day care services.
Jobs in manufacturing rose 4,800. All growth occurred in durable goods manufacturing, related to reported expansions and hiring.
Professional and business services experienced an increase of 2,700 jobs. Most of the gain occurred in administrative and support services, attributed partly to employment agencies.
Other services added 2,100 jobs. Businesses in this industry include beauty salons, diet centers, funeral homes, dry cleaners, and religious organizations.
Jobs in government dropped 5,000. State government posted a majority of the decline, as most temporary stimulus jobs have ended.
Arkansas’ seasonally adjusted jobless rate remained constant at 7.9 percent last month.
The United States’ jobless rate dropped four-tenths of a percentage point from 9.8-percent in November to 9.4-percent in December.
Arkansas’ civilian labor force increased 7,400, a result of 6,100 more employed and 1,300 more unemployed Arkansans.
DWS Communications Director Kimberly Friedman said, “Arkansas’ civilian labor force and the number of employed increased for the third consecutive month. Also, the number of unemployed increased at a slower pace the last two months. These factors contributed to the rate’s stabilization in December.”
Nonfarm Payroll Jobs
Monthly Employment Activities
November 2010 – December 2010
Monthly Employment Activities
November 2010 – December 2010
Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll jobs declined 6,100 in December to total 1,171,000. Six major industry sectors posted job losses, more than offsetting gains in four sectors. One sector remained the same.
Other services posted the largest decrease (-3,000). The loss was due in part to reported declines in membership associations and organizations.
Employment in leisure and hospitality dropped 2,200. Seasonal decreases were noted in all subsectors, with jobs in food services down 1,400.
Trade, transportation and utilities declined 1,300. Wholesale trade and transportation-warehousing-utilities posted losses, more than offsetting the increase in retail trade.
Professional and business services gained 1,400 jobs. Most of the addition occurred in administrative and support services (+1,200), caused in part by expansions in employment services and services to buildings and dwellings.
Yearly Employment Activities
December 2009 – December 2010
December 2009 – December 2010
Nonfarm payroll employment increased 12,300 since December 2009. Seven major industry sectors posted growth, with five adding 1,000 or more jobs, each. Four sectors experienced declines.
Educational and health services enjoyed the largest gain (+7,300). A majority of the advancement occurred in vocational rehabilitation services, nursing care facilities, general medical hospitals, and child day care services.
Jobs in manufacturing rose 4,800. All growth occurred in durable goods manufacturing, related to reported expansions and hiring.
Professional and business services experienced an increase of 2,700 jobs. Most of the gain occurred in administrative and support services, attributed partly to employment agencies.
Other services added 2,100 jobs. Businesses in this industry include beauty salons, diet centers, funeral homes, dry cleaners, and religious organizations.
Jobs in government dropped 5,000. State government posted a majority of the decline, as most temporary stimulus jobs have ended.
