News Release
For Immediate Release: November 18, 2016
Contact Person: Susan Price
[email protected]
Arkansas’ Unemployment Rate Remains Stable at 4.0 Percent
Arkansas Civilian Labor Force Summary:
Labor force data, produced by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics and released today
by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, show Arkansas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment
rate remained stable at 4.0 percent between September and October. Arkansas’ civilian labor force declined
2,173, a result of 1,805 fewer employed and 368 less unemployed Arkansans. The Unites States’ jobless
rate decreased one-tenth of a percentage point, from 5.0 percent in September to 4.9 percent in October.
BLS Program Operations Manager Susan Price said, “Arkansas’ unemployment rate remained unchanged
at four percent in October, as the fluctuations in employment and unemployment were not significant
enough to impact the rate. Arkansas’ jobless rate is down nine-tenths of a percentage point over the year.”
ARKANSAS CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE SUMMARY
(Seasonally Adjusted)
Civilian Labor Force
Employment
Unemployment
Unemployment Rate
U.S. Unemployment Rate
October
2016
1,354,538
1,299,979
54,559
4.0
4.9
September
2016
1,356,711
1,301,784
54,927
4.0
5.0
October
2015
1,334,668
1,269,557
65,111
4.9
5.0
Change From
September
2016
-2,173
-1,805
-368
0.0
-0.1
Change From
October
2015
19,870
30,422
-10,552
-0.9
-0.1
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey.
Notes: Unemployment rates were computed from unrounded data.
Data for Metropolitan Statistical Areas and minorities and youth will be available online November 30, 2016.
Arkansas Nonfarm Payroll Job Summary:
Arkansas’ nonfarm payroll jobs increased 4,300 in October to total 1,237,800. Seven major industry sectors
posted gains, while four sectors declined. Government added 1,900 jobs. Expansions occurred in both
local (+1,100) and state (+800) government, as public school employment reaches full capacity. Jobs in
educational and health services rose 1,700, mostly in health care and social assistance (+1,300).
Professional and business services increased 1,500. Most of the gains were posted in administrative and
support services (+1,300), a subsector which includes employment agencies. Leisure and hospitality
declined 1,500. A majority of the loss occurred in arts, entertainment, and recreation (-1,000), a typical
seasonal decrease.
www.discover.arkansas.gov
Compared to October 2015, nonfarm payroll employment in Arkansas is up 11,700. Growth was posted in
six major industry sectors, while employment in four sectors decreased. Educational and health services
rose 7,500. A majority of the increase occurred in health care and social assistance (+7,200). Professional
and business services added 4,600 jobs, spread throughout all three subsectors. Jobs in leisure and
hospitality rose 1,600, mostly in food services (+1,300). Employment in financial activities is up 1,100.
All additions were posted in finance and insurance. Manufacturing declined 1,500. Losses in durable
goods (-3,300) more than offset gains in nondurable goods (+1,800). Jobs in mining and logging decreased
1,300.
ARKANSAS NONFARM PAYROLL JOBS
Not Seasonally Adjusted
(In Thousands)
North American Industry Classification
System (NAICS) Industry Group 2012
Total Nonfarm Payroll Jobs
Goods Producing
Mining, Logging, & Construction
Mining & Logging
Construction
Specialty Trade Contractors
Manufacturing
Durable Goods
Nondurable Goods
Service Providing
Trade, Transportation, & Utilities
Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade
Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities
Information
Financial Activities
Finance & Insurance
Real Estate & Rental & Leasing
Professional & Business Services
Professional, Scientific, & Technical
Management of Companies
Administrative & Support Services
Educational & Health Services
Educational Services
Health Care & Social Assistance
Ambulatory Health Care
Social Assistance
Leisure & Hospitality
Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation
Accommodation & Food Services
Accommodation Services
Food Services
Other Services
Government
Federal Government
State Government
Local Government
October
2016
1237.8
211.1
57.4
6.4
51.0
32.7
153.7
72.4
81.3
1026.7
254.2
47.0
143.0
64.2
13.6
50.6
37.4
13.2
145.9
43.1
34.9
67.9
186.0
15.8
170.2
53.5
41.2
114.5
10.2
104.3
11.5
92.8
44.8
217.1
20.5
81.0
115.6
September
2016
1233.5
210.5
56.6
6.5
50.1
32.9
153.9
73.6
80.3
1023.0
254.9
47.6
143.3
64.0
13.5
50.0
36.8
13.2
144.4
42.8
35.0
66.6
184.3
15.4
168.9
53.0
40.3
116.0
11.2
104.8
11.7
93.1
44.7
215.2
20.5
80.2
114.5
Source: Monthly Survey of Employers.
Notes: Estimates are based on the first quarter 2015 benchmark.
Current month’s data are preliminary; previous month’s data are revised.
www.discover.arkansas.gov
October
2015
1226.1
214.3
59.1
7.7
51.4
32.5
155.2
75.7
79.5
1011.8
254.3
47.0
142.7
64.6
13.5
49.5
36.3
13.2
141.3
41.4
34.4
65.5
178.5
15.5
163.0
51.6
39.7
112.9
10.0
102.9
11.4
91.5
44.7
217.1
20.2
80.4
116.5
Change From
September
2016
4.3
0.6
0.8
-0.1
0.9
-0.2
-0.2
-1.2
1.0
3.7
-0.7
-0.6
-0.3
0.2
0.1
0.6
0.6
0.0
1.5
0.3
-0.1
1.3
1.7
0.4
1.3
0.5
0.9
-1.5
-1.0
-0.5
-0.2
-0.3
0.1
1.9
0.0
0.8
1.1
Change From
October
2015
11.7
-3.2
-1.7
-1.3
-0.4
0.2
-1.5
-3.3
1.8
14.9
-0.1
0.0
0.3
-0.4
0.1
1.1
1.1
0.0
4.6
1.7
0.5
2.4
7.5
0.3
7.2
1.9
1.5
1.6
0.2
1.4
0.1
1.3
0.1
0.0
0.3
0.6
-0.9