State's unemployment rate rises

by David Reed

June 15,2009

JEFFERSON CITY– The state of Missouri's job losses moderated in May, but the state's unemployment rate resumed its climb following a decrease in April, according to data released Monday by the Missouri Department of Economic Development. The state's seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate increased by nine-tenths of a point from 8.1 percent in April to 9.0 percent in May. Approximately 272,000 Missourians were estimated to have been jobless during the month of May.

            Nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 3,700 jobs in May, on a seasonally-adjusted basis, which was the smallest monthly decrease since employment began to drop sharply last November. Job losses were concentrated in manufacturing (-3,700) and construction (-1,600), which were partly offset by gains in health care and social assistance (2,000) and local government (900). Most other reported industry groups showed little change over the month, with about equal gains as losses.

            Over the past year, employment has decreased by 74,300 jobs, or 2.7 percent. The main exceptions to the downward trend over the year have been private educational services (2,500), health care and social assistance (6,000), federal government (2,700) and local government (3,300).