Arkansas Jobless Rate Falls As Labor Force Shrinks

Arkansas' jobless rate fell in June to 7.2% as more workers exited the labor force and unemployment rolls.

The 7.2% June unemployment rate was one-tenth of a percent lower than May and nine-tenths of a percent below June 2011 when the jobless rate was 8.1%.

The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services reported that nearly 2,300 more workers dropped out of the civilian workforce and 1,900 fewer workers were categorized as unemployed. The net difference accounted for the drop in the unemployment rate.

“The decrease in the number of unemployed Arkansans offset the decline in employment, causing Arkansas’ unemployment rate to drop,” said DWS spokesperson Kimberly Friedman. “There are

33,100 more employed Arkansans than in June 2011.”

SECTOR GAINERS, DECLINERS
Since June 2011, there has been industry sector growth in 5 categories, while 6 others have reported declines.

Educational and health services have added 7,500 jobs during the past 12 months. Jobs in leisure and hospitality increased 5,900 over the past year.   There have also been gains of 3,300 workers in government employment, mostly at the local level.

Among declining sectors in the last year, construction has seen a fall-off of 2,900 workers. Professional services has dropped by 2,000 workers. The state's manufacturing sector has also reported a decline of 2,000 jobs in the last year.