Mississippi’s unemployment rate has reached a record low in state history after totaling 3.5 percent in March of 2023.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 18 other states had a decrease in unemployment rates in March, while 32 reported stable numbers. Compared to last year, 11 states and the District of Columbia had jobless rate decreases, 10 states had increases, and 29 had little change.
The BLS added that the national unemployment rate, which is currently at 3.5 percent, had little changes within the past few months and last year.
South Dakota had the lowest jobless rate throughout the nation in March, with the state’s unemployment totaling in at 1.9 percent. The states with the next lowest rates of 2.1 percent were Nebraska and North Dakota, followed by Alabama at 2.3 percent.
In all, Mississippi ranked seventh in the U.S. for having the best jobless rates, while Nevada ranked the highest at 5.5 percent. Last year, Mississippi was .2 percentage points higher, with the BLS reporting the state’s unemployment rate as being 3.7 percent.
Governor Tate Reeves announced the Magnolia State’s historically low jobless rate during a press conference at Navistar Defense in West Point.
“This is a tremendous victory for every business, every community, and every Mississippian across our state,” Reeves said. “You don’t have to look all that closely to see that a trend is emerging in Mississippi. That trend is more learning and greater academic achievement. It’s better jobs and higher pay. And it’s strong economic growth and more opportunity for all Mississippians across our state.”
Reeves was joined at the press conference by Senator Roger Wicker and Navistar Defense CEO Ted Wright.
