State’s average jobless rate rises in 2019

Missouri’s average unemployment rate in 2019 was slightly above the 2018 tally, according to data released this morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Show-Me State’s average jobless rate ticked up a tenth of a point to 3.3% last year, according to a news release. Average employment was roughly flat at nearly 3 million workers.

The states in the BLS’ West North Central region, by 2019 average unemployment rate, are:
• North Dakota, 2.4%
• Iowa, 2.7%;
• Nebraska, 3%;
• Kansas, 3.2%;
• Minnesota, 3.2%;
• Missouri, 3.3%; and
• South Dakota, 3.3%.

Compared with 2018, annual average unemployment rates nationwide in 2019 were down in 10 states, up in one and little changed in 39, according to the release.

Current rate
Separately, the Missouri Department of Economic Development this morning released the state’s latest unemployment rate.

The agency pointed to a 3.5% seasonally adjusted jobless rate in January, compared with a steady 3.4% in October, November and December, according to a news release.

During January, Missouri employment increased by 9,000 jobs.