Louisiana Unemployment Rate Rises; Jobs Increase in Some Sectors

July 21, 2009

Louisiana was among the 38 states that recorded higher unemployment rates in June, but the state has experienced job growth during the past year in certain industry sectors.

The Louisiana rate of 6.8 percent remains significantly lower than the national rate of 9.5 percent and the 9.2 percent rate for the South region, according to information released by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The June unemployment rate ranked Louisiana ninth in the nation. Michigan had the highest rate with 15.2 percent and North Dakota had the lowest unemployment rate with 4.2 percent in June.

Seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs in Louisiana declined by 11,400 from June 2008 to June 2009, bringing the total number of jobs in the state to 1,928,800. Over the month, the state experienced a drop of 1,800 nonfarm jobs.

The number of jobs in certain key sectors has increased over the past year, according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Industry sectors adding jobs over the year in Louisiana were: construction, up 5,400 jobs; government, which includes public education, up 4,700 jobs; education and health services, up 2,800 jobs; leisure and hospitality, up 1,600; and other services, up 1,300 jobs.

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