Missouri’s unemployment rate ticks up

Missouri’s unemployment rate rose last month, according to the latest data released by the state Department of Economic Development.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the Show-Me State’s unemployment rate in December moved up to 3.3% from 3.1% in November, according to a news release. During 2019, the state’s unemployment rate dropped as low as 3.1% and was 3.3% for six months of the year.

Nonfarm payroll ranks dropped by 8,500 jobs during December. Of those, 200 came from the Springfield metropolitan statistical area.

However, Missouri employers added 20,000 jobs during 2019, according to the release.

December also was the 41st consecutive month in which Missouri’s unemployment rate was lower than the national rate, which is currently 3.5%.