The latest report from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security shows that the state’s unemployment rate rose to 5.1% in July, which represents a .1% increase from the previous month.
The July 2019 rate is .4% higher than a year ago in July 2018, when the rate was 4.7%.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Mississippi’s unemployment rate currently ranks 49th in the country.
Despite the rise in the rate, the number of non-farm jobs in the state rose by 1,200 in July to 1,171,700, which are the most jobs ever recorded in Mississippi.
Since July 2018, the total number of jobs in Mississippi has increased by 19,000. According to the MDES, these numbers are based on a survey of employers, and that employer survey is recognized as the most reliable indicator of job growth.
The labor force, which is made up of everyone who has a job or is looking for a job, increased in July by 5,600 to 1,276,300. Since July 2018, the labor force grew by 1,600.
The number Mississippians working rose in July by 4,100 to 1,211,500; however, since July 2018, the number of employed individuals decreased by 3,400.
The number of unemployed Mississippians rose by 1,500 in July to 64,800.
Since July 2018, the number of unemployed Mississippians increased by 5,000.
