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News Release

Mississippi’s Employment Situation

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August 18, 2017

Jackson, MS --- July Jobs Number Highest Since May 2008. This is the latest information announced today by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security.

The number of non-farm jobs rose in Mississippi in July 2017 by 1,800 to 1,153,100, which are the most jobs in our state since May 2008. This jobs number is based on a survey of employers and is considered the most reliable indicator of job growth. Over the year since July 2016, the number of non-farm jobs increased by 5,800.

Mississippi's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.2% in July, which is two-tenths of a percentage point higher than a month earlier in June when the rate was 5.0% but is seven-tenths of a percentage point lower than a year ago in July 2016, when the rate was 5.9%.

The Labor Force, which is made up of everyone who has a job or is looking for a job, decreased in July by 7,800 to 1,288.700. However, over the year since July 2016, the Labor Force grew by 9,100.

The number of people working in Mississippi decreased in July by 9,800 to 1,221,400. For the year since July 2016 employment in our state posted an increase of 16,900.

The number of unemployed Mississippians increased in July by 2,000 to 67,300. Over the year since June 2016, the number of Mississippians without jobs fell by 7,800.

For details or questions on this information, please contact Mary Willoughby at (601) 321-6260 or by email at: mwilloughby@mdes.ms.gov.