Mississippi’s Employment Situation
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May 17, 2019
Jackson, MS --- Unemployment Rate Remains at Near Historic Low and Number of Jobs Rises to Historic High. This is the latest information announced today by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.
Mississippi’s unemployment rate in April 2019 was 4.9%, tying the rate last month in March 2019 as the third lowest level of unemployment ever recorded in Mississippi. The unemployment rate has now been below 5.0% for nineteen months in a row.
The April 2019 rate is one-tenth of a percentage point higher than a year ago in April 2018, when the rate was 4.8%.
The number of non-farm jobs in Mississippi rose by 3,000 in April to 1,164,200, which are the most jobs ever recorded in Mississippi.
Over the year since April 2018, the number of jobs in our state increased by 11,200. These numbers are based on a survey of employers. That employer survey is recognized as the most reliable indicator of job growth.
The Labor Force, which is made up of everyone who has a job or is looking for a job, decreased in April by 1,100 to 1,266,600. Over the year since April 2018, the Labor Force fell by 10,800.
The number of Mississippians working fell slightly in April by 2,300 to 1,203,900. Over the year since April 2018, employed individuals decreased by 11,600.
The number of unemployed Mississippians increased by 1,200 in April to 62,700.
Over the year since April 2018, the number of unemployed Mississippians increased by 800.
For details or questions on this information, please contact Mary Willoughby at (601) 321-6260 or by email at: mwilloughby@mdes.ms.gov.
