The latest information on Arkansas employment and unemployment was released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services this morning. The report showed that the unemployment rate ticked up one-tenth of one percent to 7.5%. The household survey showed that the number of unemployed persons rose by over 1,800 in August (seasonally adjusted).
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
The information in the employment report for August indicates a slowdown in the the pace of economic recovery in Arkansas. Nevertheless, there is no reason to believe that it represents anything more than a temporary setback. Total employment remains above the level of December 2009 and above the level of a year ago. Several sectors continue to show net job growth over the past several months. Sectors that have shown positive growth over the first eight months of the year include construction; manufacturing; trade, transportation, and utilities; and education and health services.
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*Seasonally adjusted data for nonfarm payroll employment, reported in a format compatible with the monthly press release from the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, are available here: Table – Seasonally Adjusted NFPE.