Unemployment in Arkansas Falls to 8.0-percent
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: December 20, 2011
A hiring boost in November has dropped unemployment in Arkansas down to 8.0-percent.
Newly-released figures from the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services show the two-tenths of a percentage point drop from the 8.2-percent rate in October.
Arkansas' civilian labor force increased 6,700, a result of 10,000 more employed and 3,300 fewer unemployed Arkansans. The United State's jobless rate dropped four-tenths of a percentage point to 8.6 percent in November.
DWS Communications Director Kimberly Friedman said, "The number of employed Arkansans increased for the third consecutive month. The gain of 10,000 employed in November was a significant factor in the unemployment rate's decline. There are 4,800 more employed Arkansas residents than in November 2010."
Since November 2010, Arkansas' nonfarm payroll employment increased 7,400. Seven major industry sectors enjoyed growth, with three sectors adding 3,300 or more jobs, each. Two sectors lost jobs, while two others remained the same. Government posted the largest gain (+4,100). Most of the increase occurred in local government (+4,500). Professional and business services added 3,300 jobs. A majority of the growth occurred in administrative and support services (+3,100), which includes employment services. Educational and health services increased 3,300. Most of the gains were attributed to expansions in health care and social assistance (+1,900). Jobs in manufacturing decreased 4,700. Losses were posted in both nondurable (-3,000) and durable (-1,700) goods manufacturing.
Newly-released figures from the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services show the two-tenths of a percentage point drop from the 8.2-percent rate in October.
Arkansas' civilian labor force increased 6,700, a result of 10,000 more employed and 3,300 fewer unemployed Arkansans. The United State's jobless rate dropped four-tenths of a percentage point to 8.6 percent in November.
DWS Communications Director Kimberly Friedman said, "The number of employed Arkansans increased for the third consecutive month. The gain of 10,000 employed in November was a significant factor in the unemployment rate's decline. There are 4,800 more employed Arkansas residents than in November 2010."
Arkansas Nonfarm Payroll Job Summary:
Nonfarm payroll jobs in Arkansas increased 5,300 in November 2011 to total 1,186,000. Eight major industry sectors posted gains, more than offsetting declines in three sectors. Jobs in trade, transportation, and utilities rose 3,900. Most of the additions were seasonal, with retail trade adding 3,800 jobs for the holidays. Employment in educational and health services increased 2,100. Most of the gain occurred in social assistance (+1,200), related in part to reported hiring in child daycare and individual-family services. Manufacturing added 900 jobs, posted in both nondurable (+500) and durable (+400) goods manufacturing. Increases were related to reported gains in food manufacturing and fabricated metal product manufacturing. Employment in construction fell 1,600. Losses were typical and weather related. Leisure and hospitality declined 1,300. Decreases were seasonal and spread throughout all subsectors, with arts-entertainment-recreation posting the largest drop (-900).Since November 2010, Arkansas' nonfarm payroll employment increased 7,400. Seven major industry sectors enjoyed growth, with three sectors adding 3,300 or more jobs, each. Two sectors lost jobs, while two others remained the same. Government posted the largest gain (+4,100). Most of the increase occurred in local government (+4,500). Professional and business services added 3,300 jobs. A majority of the growth occurred in administrative and support services (+3,100), which includes employment services. Educational and health services increased 3,300. Most of the gains were attributed to expansions in health care and social assistance (+1,900). Jobs in manufacturing decreased 4,700. Losses were posted in both nondurable (-3,000) and durable (-1,700) goods manufacturing.
