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Report: State Jobless Rate Down to 5.7 Percent

2 min read

Arkansas’ unemployment rate fell to 5.7 percent in December, dropping two-tenths of a percentage point from November, according to a report from the state Department of Workforce Services.

The report said Arkansas’ civilian labor force grew by 8,500, a result of 9,700 more employed and 1,200 fewer unemployed Arkansans.

During the same period, the U.S. jobless rate declined two-tenths of a percentage point to 5.6 percent. But Arkansas’ labor force is down by 3,100 workers compared to the same time last year.

More: View the entire report here (PDF).

“The increase of 9,700 in December marked the fourth consecutive month of employment gains for the state,” DWS Communications Director Becky Heflin said in a news release. “Compared to December 2013, the number of employed is up 19,600.”

Nonfarm payroll jobs in Arkansas declined 1,500 in December to total 1.2 million, according to the report. Six major industry sectors posted losses, while four increased and one remained stable:

  • Educational and health services decreased 1,100. The drop in educational services (-600) was due to the winter break at private educational faculties.
  • Jobs in government declined 900. Losses in state (-800) and local (-500) government were related to the seasonal closures at public schools.
  • Construction employment rose 800, attributed in part to on-going large scale projects throughout the state.

Since December 2013, Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll employment increased 22,600, the report said. Eight major industry sectors added jobs, while two sectors posted minor declines:

  • Employment in leisure and hospitality rose 6,700. A majority of the growth occurred in food services (+6,200).
  • Construction added jobs (+5,800), with specialty trade contractors up 2,900.
  • Jobs in manufacturing increased 5,500. Most of the gains were reported in durable goods (+4,000), including transportation equipment manufacturing and wood products manufacturing.
  • Educational and health services rose 3,600. Health care and social assistance posted a majority of the growth (+2,900).
  • Professional and business services added 1,300 jobs. Gains were reported in management of companies (+700) and administrative and support services (+600).
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