Mississippi’s Unemployment Rate Rises in September
October 31st, 2012
The latest jobs numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show Mississippi’s unemployment rate remains higher than the nation and the state’s Mid-South counterparts. In September 2012, Mississippi’s unemployment rate ticked up to 9.2%. The September rate is a rise from August (9.1%) and well above the nation’s rate of 7.8% in September.
The chart illustrates that the difference in unemployment rates between the U.S. and Mississippi was smallest in May of 2012. Since that time the two areas have seen their rates diverge as Mississippi’s unemployment rate has risen since the spring of 2012. Mississippi continues to struggle to gain economic momentum and jobs. Overall employment is below where it was one year ago, and Mississippi’s level of employment is similar to the lowest levels it experienced in the recession in late 2009.¹
In September both Louisiana and Arkansas registered an unemployment rate below the nation. Georgia’s is the most similar to Mississippi at 9.0% last month. The chart below compares the unemployment rates among states in the Southern region. Mississippi’s unemployment rate registers the highest of those states included in the chart.
While Mississippi’s unemployment rate continues at high levels, it does not capture all those individuals who desire more work hours or looking for work. A previous post discusses rates of underemployment which includes those working part-time that want to work full-time or those that are discouraged and have stopped looking for work.
Interested in learning more about the status of Mississippi’s economy and working families? Check out MEPC’s presentations from the Annual Policy Conference with updates on the status of the State of Working Mississippi
Author: Sarah Welker, Policy Analyst
¹Economic Policy Institute. September 2012 Job Watch.
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