FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Zoe Calkins, [email protected]
Arkansas’ unemployment rate remains stable at 3.3% in November
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Dec. 20, 2024)— Today, the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services, Workforce Policy and Innovation, in conjunction with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, announced Arkansas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained stable at 3.3% between October and November. The United States’ jobless rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point, reaching 4.2% in November.
Arkansas Civilian Labor Force Summary:
- Arkansas’ civilian labor force increased by 1,742 in November, with 1,073 more employed in the State. An additional 669 unemployed Arkansans were actively looking for work compared to last month. Both the civilian labor force and employment in the State remain at record-high levels.
- Compared to November 2023, there are 33,715 more employed Arkansans. The unemployment rate is down four-tenths of a percentage point, with 4,465 fewer unemployed actively looking for work. Arkansas’ labor force participation rate has increased significantly over the year, up six-tenths of a percentage point to 58.2%.
Arkansas Nonfarm Payroll Job Summary:
- In November, nonfarm payroll jobs declined by 500. Losses were mostly seasonal, with contractions in Leisure and Hospitality (-3,100) and in Construction (-1,100). The largest monthly gains occurred in Private Education and Health Services (+1,700) and Trade-Transportation-Utilities (+1,000).
- Compared to November 2023, there are 22,600 more nonfarm payroll jobs in Arkansas. Eight major industry sectors posted annual growth. The largest expansions were in Private Education and Health Services (+13,700), mostly in the Health Care and Social Assistance subsector (+13,000). Other notable increases were seen in Professional and Business Services (+3,400) and Manufacturing (+3,000).
Arkansas Civilian Labor Force (Seasonally Adjusted)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey. More information about the data is available at https://www.bls.gov/cps/definitions.htm
Arkansas Nonfarm Payroll Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted, In Thousands)
Source: Monthly Survey of Employers, based on 1st Quarter 2023 benchmark.
Notes: Current month’s data are preliminary; previous month’s data are revised.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Arkansas vs. United States (3-Year Comparison)
Job Gains/Losses by Major Industry Sectors
November 2023 to November 2024 (Not Seasonally Adjusted)
For more Labor Market Data, visit our website at www.discover.arkansas.gov
