Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased in July by four-tenths of a percentage point to 10.9 percent, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB). Total employment fell by 33,000 in July while the number of unemployed rose by 15,000.  The state’s labor force recorded a 17,000 reduction over the month.   Michigan’s unemployment rate was nearly two percentage points above the U.S. July rate of 9.1 percent.
The Michigan jobless rate in July 2011 was one and a half percentage points below the July 2010 rate of 12.4 percent.  The national jobless rate decreased by four-tenths of a percentage point over this period.
“Michigan’s labor market indicators have shown only modest improvement so far in 2011,” said Rick Waclawek, director of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives.  “Although the state jobless rate has increased since April, in July 2011 it remains below year-ago levels.”
According to the monthly survey of employers, seasonally adjusted Michigan payroll jobs rose in July by 23,000 to 3,942,000.  July job gains were posted in government (+12,000), manufacturing (+5,000), education and health services (+3,000), and trade, transportation and utilities (+3,000). Since July 2010, payroll jobs in Michigan increased by 60,000 or 1.5 percent.  Job gains over this period were concentrated in four of Michigan’s 11 major sectors; professional and business services (+18,000), education and health services (+17,000), manufacturing (+15,000) and construction (+10,000).  Government (-9,000) was the only major sector to record significant job loss over this period.