Mississippi’s Employment Situation
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For Immediate Release
November 19, 2019
The 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 October 2019 was 5.5%, a slight over the month increase of one-tenth of a percentage point from September 2019.
The October 2019 rate is eight-tenths of a percentage point higher than a year ago in October 2018, when the rate was 4.7%.
The number of non-farm jobs in Mississippi rose by 300 in October 2019 to 1,171,200, which are the most jobs ever recorded in Mississippi.
Over the year since October 2018, the number of jobs in our state increased by 11,700. 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, expanded in October 2019 by 2,400 to 1,289,800. Over the year since October 2018, the Labor Force increased by 15,500.
The number of unemployed Mississippians rose by 1,500 in October 2019 to 70,800.
Over the year since October 2018, the number of unemployed Mississippians increased by 11,300.
The number of Mississippians working rose in October 2019 by 900 to 1,219,000; and, for the year since October 2018, employed individuals increased by 4,200.
For details or questions on this information, please contact Mary Willoughby at (601) 321-6260 or by email at: mwilloughby@mdes.ms.gov.
