The state’s unemployment rate continued climbing in November, rising two-tenths of a percentage point to 4.1%, the Arkansas Department of Commerce reported Wednesday.
The jobless rate was 3.9% in September. Civilian labor data for October was not available due the federal government shutdown.
The U.S. unemployment rate in November also increased by two-tenths of a percentage point from September, rising to 4.4%.
In Arkansas, the civilian labor force increased by 8,633 to 1.44 million. There were 3,634 more unemployed people, but growth in the workforce pushed the labor force participation rate higher by three-tenths of a percentage point to 58.8%.
Compared to November 2024, there were 13,154 more people employed in the state. The unemployment rate is up five-tenths of a percentage point. Arkansas’ labor force participation rate is also up five-tenths of a percentage point on an annual basis.
On a monthly basis, nonfarm payroll jobs declined by 700 in November. Professional and business services posted the largest decrease (-1,400). Most of the losses were in administrative and support services, down 1,200. Other losses were small and mostly due to seasonal fluctuations. Jobs in trade-transportation-utilities rose by 2,500, with retail trade adding 2,300 jobs at the start of the holiday shopping season.
Compared to November 2024, Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 17,600. Leisure and hospitality (+6,700), private education and health services (+4,900), and trade-transportation-utilities (+4,700) reported the largest annual job growth. The greatest loss was in construction, down 2,200 jobs over the year.
Other sectors and their changes from November 2024:
- Manufacturing +1,700
- Mining & logging -100
- Information -300
- Government -400
- Financial activities -400
- Other services -700
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