 July Indiana
Employment Report
INDIANAPOLIS (August 18, 2017) – Indiana’s unemployment rate stands at 3.1 percent for July and remains lower than the national rate of 4.3 percent. The unemployment rate is a U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS) indicator that reflects the number of unemployed people as a
percentage of the labor force. Indiana’s labor force decreased by 1,077 over the previous month due to a 4,008 decrease in employment and a 2,931 increase in unemployment. Indiana's total labor force continues to stand at more than 3.33 million, and the state’s 64.3 percent labor
force participation rate remains above the national rate of 62.9 percent.
"Indiana's unemployment rate continues to be both at near-record lows and well below the national numbers," said Steven J. Braun, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD). "The recently-announced Next Level Jobs grant from the Governor will continue to support this momentum as its collaboration among employers and critical stakeholders will develop new talent and resources at the local level. This program and others designed to improve skills are an indication that the Hoosier work ethic is as strong as ever and will prevail amidst workforce challenges and opportunities."
Despite a slight increase over the past month, the unemployment rate is a reflection of the state's constricting labor market, according to Braun. The long-term challenge of developing the state's workforce to meet employer demand of more than one million jobs over the next 10 years remains DWD's top priority, he added.
Employment by Sector
Private sector employment has grown by more than 26,800 over the year, and has increased by 2,000 over the previous month, primarily due to gains in the Private Educational and Health Services (3,600) and the Manufacturing (1,000) sectors. Gains were partially offset by losses in the Construction (-700) and the Transportation, Trade and Utilities (-600) sectors. Total private employment stands at 2,688,300 and is 11,400 above the November 2016 peak.
Midwest Unemployment Rates
EDITOR’S
NOTES:
Data are sourced from July Current Employment Statistics,
Local Area Unemployment Statistics – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
July employment data for Indiana Counties, Cities and MSAs
will be available Monday, August 21, 2017 at noon (EDT) pending U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics validation.
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Headshot of DWD Commissioner Steve Braun
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