Arkansas Unemployment Drops To 8% In November

Arkansas workforce officials reported that November’s unemployment rate fell two-tenths of a percent to 8.0%. The U.S. unemployment rate fell four-tenths from October to 8.6%.

One year ago, the state’s jobless rate stood at 7.9%, while national unemployment stood at 9.8%.

Department of Workforce Services Communications Director Kimberly Friedman said, “The number of employed Arkansans increased for the third consecutive month. The gain of 10,000 employed in November was a significant factor in the unemployment rate’s decline. There are 4,800 more employed Arkansas residents than in November 2010.”

The state’s employment ranks grew to 1.256 million in November 2011. One year ago, just 1.251 million Arkansans were employed.

There were seasonal monthly increases in the trade and transportation sectors, as well as in manufacturing. Education and health services also rose significantly for the month.

Construction employment and jobs in the leisure and hospitality industry declined in November.

Compared to one year ago, government employment has risen by 4,100 workers mostly at the local level with teaching jobs.  Professional and business services have grown by 3,300 jobs in the last year as has education and health services.

Manufacturing employment has fallen by 4,700 workers in the last 12 months.