Mississippi’s Employment Situation
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September 20, 2016
Jackson, MS -- Jobs Increased by 2,700 in August. This is the latest information announced today by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.
The number of jobs in Mississippi grew by 2,700 in August to 1,147,500. In fact, over the year since August 2015, jobs increased by 12,200. These job figures are based on a survey of Mississippi employers and are considered the most reliable guide to job growth in our state.
Based on a separate survey of individuals, Mississippi’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.0% in August, which was unchanged from the July rate; however, the August 2016 rate is three-tenths of a percentage point lower than a year ago in August 2015 when the rate was 6.3%.
The number of unemployed Mississippians increased slightly in August by 200 to 76,000; however, the August number is 4,600 lower than a year ago in August 2015 when the figure was 80,600. During the last four months of May, June, July, and August, Mississippi had the lowest numbers of unemployed individuals since February 2004.
The number of people working in Mississippi declined in August by 1,600 to 1,194,500; however, since August 2015, employment in our state posted an increase of 300.
The Labor Force, which is made up of everyone who has a job or is looking for a job, fell in August by 1,400 to 1,270,500. Over the year since August 2015, the Labor Force decreased by 4,300.
For details or questions on this information, please contact Mary Willoughby at (601) 321-6260 or by email at: mwilloughby@mdes.ms.gov.
