MDES: Mississippi's unemployment rate near historic lows; number of jobs near historic high

(The following is a press release from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.) Mississippi’s unemployment rate in May 2018 was 4.7%, the third lowest level of unemployment ever recorded in Mississippi. The April rate is one-tenth of a percentage point higher than a month earlier in May 2018, when the rate was 4.6% and six-tenths of a percentage point lower than a year ago in May 2017, when the rate was 5.3%. The Labor Force, which is made up of everyone who has a job or is looking for a job, increased in May by 2,900 to 1,278,200. Over the year since May 2017, the Labor Force fell by 3,500. The number of people working in Mississippi rose in May by 1,600 to 1,218,700. For the year since May 2017, employment in our state increased by 4,300. The number of unemployed Mississippians increased by 1,300 in May to 59,500; however, over the year since May 2017, the number of unemployed Mississippians decreased by 7,800. The number of non-farm jobs in Mississippi edged downward by 300 in May to 1,164,700. The May 2018 job figure is the third highest number of jobs ever recorded in Mississippi. Over the year since May 2017, the number of jobs in our state increased by 15,900. These numbers are based on a survey of employers. That employer survey is recognized as the most reliable indicator of job growth.