Young Workers in Mississippi Experience Higher Rates of Unemployment than State Overall
July 3rd, 2012
In May 2012, Mississippi’s overall unemployment rate registered at 8.7%. The state’s unemployment rate is the 8th highest in the nation. A recent story in the Clarion Ledger discusses how teenagers and young adults are having a particularly hard time finding employment this summer. For many teens that are still in high school, summer jobs help them save for college or cover gas costs. Many households also continue to face economic insecurity in the current economy, and teens may need to cover more of their own expenses or contribute to their families.
Mississippi’s youngest workers, those between 16 and 24 years of age, usually experience higher rates of unemployment than the state average. However, recent years have brought on substantial increases in the portion of young adults that are unemployed. The chart shows that in 2010 the unemployment rate for young workers reached the highest rate in two decades at 22.7%. Close to 1 in 4 young workers was unemployed in 2010 compared to 1 in 10 Mississippi workers overall.
A post by the Economic Policy Institute shares that ‘voluntary quits’ (people choosing to leave their jobs for alternative employment) are another key indicator to watch for young workers. A high level of voluntary quits is a signal of greater flexibility in the job market. Flexibility in a state’s job market is important for young workers who are still shaping their careers and interests. Young workers benefit from leaving one job and trying another or from having the freedom to pursue opportunities with higher wages and pathways to advancement.
More than 20% of Mississippi’s young workers continue to experience periods of unemployment. High levels of unemployment also mean that they may face a longer path to the wages and careers they desire and face employment barriers that are beyond more experienced workers. Efforts that ensure young adults are equipped with the education needed to be competitive applicants in the labor market and that support young adults in making transitions in the labor market are important for putting current and future workers on a promising career path well into the future.
Author: Sarah Welker, Policy AnalystShare this article.
