JOBWATCH: Putting 2012 Numbers in Context
January 28th, 2013
Mississippi’s most recent data on jobs and unemployment were released last week from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Mississippi’s December unemployment rate (8.6%) is above the national rate (7.8%). Mississippi’s unemployment rate ranked the 8th highest in the country- tied with Georgia, and higher than Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee.
Last week’s Legislative Economic Briefing detailed that Mississippi’s outlook for employment and economic growth continue to be on a path of tepid growth. This is an improvement on the stark job losses from 2008 through 2010, but the state’s levels of employment gains fall short of national trends.
The chart below details month over month job growth in Mississippi over the last year. The 2012 calendar year showed marginal improvement in the state’s employment. Overall, data from the BLS indicate Mississippi added 3,500 jobs last year compared to 66,000 jobs needed to reach levels of employment that existed before the recession.
Last year’s job growth was equal to 5.3% of what is needed to reach full recovery of job loss from previous years. If job growth remains at 3,500 positions per year, it will take 19 years to recover the jobs lost among Mississippi’s workforce.
Robust job growth continues to be needed in Mississippi. In addition, thousands of Mississippi workers with jobs continue to lack access to affordable health insurance. This Legislative Session, Mississippi has the opportunity to ensure more working adults have the support and medical care they need and to create over 9,000 health care jobs through Medicaid Expansion. Mississippi’s current employment outlook and large number of unemployed workers underscore that Medicaid Expansion is an opportunity Mississippi can’t afford to leave on the table.
Author: Sarah Welker, Policy AnalystShare this article.
