Michigan’s April jobless rate declines

Lansing – Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down in April by one-tenth of a percentage point to 8.4 percent, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB).  Total employment rose by 19,000 over the month while the number of unemployed declined by 5,000.  The net result was a 12,000 advance in the state’s labor force in April.

The Michigan jobless rate in April 2013 was seven-tenths of a percentage point below the state’s April 2012 rate of 9.1 percent.  The national jobless rate decreased by six-tenths of a percentage point over this period.  The state’s unemployment rate in April was nine-tenths of a percentage point above the national rate of 7.5 percent.  The U.S. jobless rate also inched downward over the month by one-tenth of a percentage point.

“Michigan labor market indicators were relatively unchanged in April,” said Michael Williams, acting director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives.  “However, the number of unemployed in Michigan has declined for three consecutive months.”

Monthly Labor Force Trends & Highlights

·         Michigan’s unemployment rate recorded a reduction for the third consecutive month in April.  The state’s monthly rates have either declined or remained unchanged since September.

·         Over the first four months of 2013, Michigan’s jobless rate has fallen by half a percentage point as the number of unemployed in the state decreased by 23,000. In this period, total employment rose by 53,000 statewide.

·         The state’s monthly labor force levels have been tracking upward in 2013 after declining throughout much of 2012.  Michigan’s workforce in April recorded a net increase of 2,000 over the year.  Although minor, this marks the first over-the-year labor force gain in Michigan since 2006.

·         Since April 2012, total employment in Michigan rose by 36,000 or 0.8 percent, which is below the national employment growth rate over this period of 1.2 percent.

·         From April 2012 to April 2013, the number of unemployed in Michigan declined by 33,000 or 7.8 percent, which outpaced the 6.9 percent decrease nationally.