Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas’ unemployment rate was 7.5 percent in June, a decrease of two-tenths of a percentage point from the previous month, labor statistics released today show.
The state jobless rate was two percentage points below the national rate of 9.5 percent, down from 9.7 percent in May, the state Department of Workforce Services said.
“The decrease in Arkansas’ unemployment rate this month mirrors the trend seen at the national level,” said DWS spokeswoman Kimberly Friedman. “This month’s rate of 7.5 percent is the state’s lowest unemployment rate since October 2009.”
The state’s labor force declined by 8,200 in June, a result of 4,100 fewer unemployed and 4,100 fewer employed.
The department said 1.25 million Arkansans were employed and 100,900 were unemployed in June.
The largest increase was in educational and health services, with 2,800 new jobs added. Health care and social assistance posted all of the growth, more than offsetting seasonal losses in educational services.
Manufacturing added 1,700 jobs, with nondurable goods accounting for 1,200 of those jobs. Plastic and rubber products manufacturing and food manufacturing also posted increases.
Jobs in trade, transportation and utilities rose 1,600.
The largest decline occurred in government, with 4,700 jobs lost. Losses at state and local levels were related to seasonal fluctuations in public school employment, while the loss of 1,800 federal jobs was attributed to jobs with the 2010 Census ending.
