Unemployment Stays Flat in April

(graphic courtesy of the Department of Workforce Development)

Indiana’s unemployment rate remained at 3.6 percent in April, now the same as the national rate, which fell 0.2 percent over the previous month. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development says the state lost 3,600 private sector jobs last month.

Despite the loss in jobs, figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show Indiana’s labor force had a net increase of 1,349 jobs over the previous month. The state’s total labor force, which includes residents who are either employed or seeking employment, stands at 3.41 million. Indiana’s labor force participation rate is at 65.3 percent, which remains above the national rate.

The DWD says the decrease in jobs last month was primarily due to losses in the financial activities and manufacturing sectors. Those losses were partially offset by gains in the leisure and hospitality, and construction sectors. 

Of the surrounding states, Indiana continues to be the only one to have an unemployment rate below 4 percent. Only Wisconsin and Minnesota have lower unemployment rates in the Midwest at 2.8 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively.

You can connect to more about Indiana’s unemployment rate from the Department of Workforce Development by clicking here.