Arkansas’ February unemployment rate increased to 3.8 percent from 3.7 percent in January.
The state Department of Workforce Services said Friday that Arkansas’ civilian labor force declined by 1,794 from January, a result of 17 more Arkansans being unemployed and 1,811 dropping from the workforce.
The U.S. jobless rate was unchanged at 4.1 percent in February.
“Arkansas’ unemployment rate rose one-tenth of percentage point in February, pushed up by the slight decline in the civilian labor force. Compared to February 2017, Arkansas’ civilian labor force has grown by 4,659,” BLS Program Operations Manager Susan Price said in a news release.
More: See the complete report.
In February 2017, 49,120 people were unemployed in Arkansas, and the unemployment rate was 3.6 percent. In January, 50,773 people were unemployed.
Compared to February 2017, Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll employment is up by 2,000.
Eight major industry sectors reported gains.
Manufacturing added 1,500 jobs, mostly in nondurable goods manufacturing (1,100). Expansions in food manufacturing was a catalyst of that growth.
Employment in educational and health services also increased by 1,500, all in health care and social assistance.
Trade, transportation and utilities declined by 2,000, with retail trade suffering a 1,600 hit, due to continued layoffs and closures in the sector.
Information jobs decreased by 1,100 because of reported contractions in activities like telecommunications and data processing-hosting.
Sign up for Daily E-news
