Mo. unemployment drops to near 15-year low

Missouri’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate inched down to 4.3 percent in January, its lowest level since June 2001.

The figure compares to December’s rate of 4.4 percent, according to the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

During January, nonfarm employers added 5,800 jobs, beating December by 1,800, according to a news release.

The largest Missouri payroll employment gain was in health care and social assistance, where employers hired an additional 2,400 people in January. Construction also grew by 1,600 jobs and durable goods manufacturing by 1,300, according to the release.