Icon (Close Menu)

Logout

Arkansas Unemployment Rises to 7.3 Percent in May

1 min read

Arkansas’ unemployment rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point to 7.3 percent in May, according to a report Friday by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services.

The rate was 7.2 percent in April. In May 2011, the rate was 8.1 percent.

From April to May, Arkansas’ civilian labor force gained 200, the result of 100 fewer employed and 300 more unemployed Arkansans.

In May, the U.S. jobless rate also rose one-tenth of a percentage point, and was 8.2 percent.

"The unemployment rate in Arkansas rose one-tenth of a percentage point in May, mirroring the trend seen at the national level," DWS Communications Director Kimberly Friedman said in a news release.

"While the number of unemployed increased slightly this month, there are still 9,500 fewer unemployed and 33,200 more employed Arkansans than in May 2011."

Eight major industries saw May gains in Arkansas, offsetting losses in three sectors:

  • Manufacturing added 1,800 jobs, mostly (1,300) in durable goods related to transportation and fabricated metal
  • Professional and business services added 1,000, related to reported gains in landscaping and at employment agencies
  • Construction added 500, typical for the season
  • Leisure and hospitality rose 500 thanks to seasonal hiring in arts, entertainment and recreation, offsetting a decline in food services.

Year-to-date, five industries saw gains and six reported declines, according to the report:

  • Leisure and hospitality increased 4,900, mostly in foods services (4,000)
  • Educational and health services added 4,500 jobs, mostly in health care and social assistance (3,300)
  • Government jobs increased by 3,700, mostly local positions attributed to public school expansions.

Meanwhile, manufacturing declined year-to-year by 2,900, and professional and business services dropped 1,800.

Send this to a friend