Higher jobless numbers push Arkansas’ October jobless rate up to 3.1%

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

A continued rise in the number of Arkansans without jobs pushed the state’s jobless rate from 2.9% in September to 3.1% in October. It’s the first time the jobless rate has been at or above 3% since March.

The number of employed in Arkansas during October was an estimated 1,350,628, up 27,041 jobs, or 2.04%, compared with October 2022, and below the 1,352,441 in September, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report posted Friday (Nov. 17). The October numbers are preliminary and subject to revision.

Arkansas’ labor force, the number of people eligible to work, in October was 1,393,177, up 1.6% from the 1,371,549 in October 2022 and above the 1,392,374 in September.

Higher jobless numbers push Arkansas’ October jobless rate up to 3.1%

Arkansas unemployed numbers up in August, jobless rate ticks higher to 2.7%

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

An increase in the number of jobless between July and August was partially responsible for Arkansas’ jobless rate rising from 2.6% in July to 2.7% in August. But the rate was lower than the 3.4% in August 2022, with a 2.13% year-over-year gain in new jobs.

The number of employed in Arkansas during August was an estimated 1,352,265, up 28,229 jobs, or 2.13%, compared with August 2022, and just above 1,351,370 in July, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report posted Tuesday (Sept. 19). The August numbers are preliminary and subject to revision.

Arkansas’ labor force, the number of people eligible to work, in August was 1,389,550, up 1.4% from 1,370,846 in August 2022 and above 1,386,944 in July.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/09/arkansas-unemployed-numbers-up-in-august-jobless-rate-ticks-higher-to-2-7/

2.7% jobless rate in May a new low for Arkansas; tourism sector adds more than 10,000 jobs

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

There is no sign of a looming recession in Arkansas’ job market. The state jobless rate hit a record low of 2.7% in May, which followed a record low of 2.8% in April. Also, three of the state’s largest job sectors set record employment in May.

The number of employed in Arkansas during May was an estimated 1,343,657, up 16,675 jobs, or 1.25%, compared with May 2022, and above the 1,339,400 in April, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report posted Friday (June 17). The May numbers are preliminary and subject to revision.

Arkansas’ labor force, the number of people eligible to work, in May was 1,380,752, up 0.74% from the 1,370,505 in May 2022 and above the 1,378,421 in April. The state’s labor force participation rate was 57.5% in May, unchanged from April, and below 57.7% in May 2022.

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/06/2-7-jobless-rate-in-may-a-new-low-for-arkansas-tourism-sector-adds-more-than-10000-jobs/

Arkansas Jobless Rate Dips to 4.2% in August, Tourism Jobs Up Almost 8%

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

With a 3.6% gain in jobs in August compared with August 2020, Arkansas’ jobless rate dipped from 4.3% in July to 4.2% in August, according to Friday’s (Sept. 17) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The jobless rate was 6.5% in August 2020.

The number of employed in Arkansas during August was an estimated 1,300,179, up 45,354 jobs compared with August 2020, and above the 1,296,767 in July. The August numbers are preliminary and subject to revision.

The state’s labor force – the number of people eligible to work – was 1,357,389 in August, up compared with the 1,341,356 in August 2020, and above the 1,355,738 in July. Arkansans without jobs in August totaled 57,210, down from 58,971 in July, and down 33.9% from the 86,531 in August 2020.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/09/arkansas-jobless-rate-dips-to-4-2-in-august-tourism-jobs-up-almost-8/

Arkansas to Stop $300-a-week Federal Jobless Benefits; U.S. April Job Numbers Below Estimates

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Friday (May 7) stopped the state’s participation in federal supplemental jobless benefits which provided an extra $300 a week to those who qualified. The move comes as U.S. jobless data showed far fewer returning to work than expected.

The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan signed into law in early March by President Joe Biden included $300-a-week federal unemployment benefits through September. The plan also included $1,400 per-person stimulus checks and $350 billion to state, local and tribal governments to cover deficits resulting from the pandemic. The $300 a week equals a $15,600 annual salary.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/05/arkansas-to-stop-300-a-week-federal-jobless-benefits-u-s-april-job-numbers-below-estimates/

Arkansas’ Jobless Rate Dips to 4.4%, Tourism Sector Continues to Post Most Job Losses

by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas had 18,549 fewer employed in March compared to March 2020, with 60% of the job losses coming from the state’s hard hit tourism sector, according to Friday’s (April 16) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The state’s jobless rate in March was 4.4%, down from 4.5% in February and below the 3.8% in March 2020. The number of employed in Arkansas during March was an estimated 1,299,702, down 18,549 jobs compared with March 2020.

The biggest sector losses were in Leisure & Hospitality (11,100 fewer jobs), Government (down 8,600 jobs) and Education and Health Services (down 5,800 jobs). Manufacturing posted the largest year-over-year gains with 1,600 added jobs, and the Construction sector posted a year-over-year job gain of 1,000 jobs. The March numbers are preliminary and subject to revision. The report marked the first full year of COVID-19 impacts on the economy.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/arkansas-jobless-rate-dips-to-4-4-tourism-sector-continues-to-post-most-job-losses/

Arkansas Job Numbers Decline in November; Jobless Rate Stays at 6.2%

by Talk Business & Politics staff

Similar declines in the state’s available work force and the number of employed kept Arkansas’ November jobless rate at 6.2%, unchanged from October and well below the 3.5% in November 2019.

The number of employed in Arkansas during November was an estimated 1,244,877, down 71,264 jobs, or 5.4% lower, compared with November 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. November employment was down 2,746 jobs compared with October. The year-over-year job losses are up compared to the 67,353 between October 2019 and October 2020.

https://talkbusiness.net/2020/12/arkansas-job-numbers-decline-in-november-but-jobless-rate-stays-at-6-2/

Decline in Available Workforce Pushes Arkansas Jobless Rate Lower in October

An almost 1% decline in the state’s labor force combined with a scant increase in new jobs pushed the jobless rate to 6.2%, down from 7.2% in September but still higher than the 3.5% in October 2019.

The number of employed in Arkansas during October was an estimated 1,248,547, down 67,353 jobs, or 5.1% lower, compared with October 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The October numbers are preliminary and subject to revision. The report marked the seventh full month of COVID-19 impacts on the economy.

https://talkbusiness.net/2020/11/decline-in-available-workforce-pushes-arkansas-jobless-rate-lower-in-october/

Decline in available workforce pushes Arkansas jobless rate lower in October - Talk Business & Politics

An almost 1% decline in the state's labor force combined with a scant increase in new jobs pushed the jobless rate to 6.2%, down from 7.2% in September but still higher than the 3.5% in October 2019. The number of employed in Arkansas during October was an estimated 1,248,547, down 67,353 jobs, or 5.1% lower, compared with October 2019, according to the U.S.