May Unemployment Rate Increases

Liz Gullett

Jun 21, 2019

Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May 2019 increased by one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.2%. During the month total employment was unchanged, while the number of unemployed moved up by 5,000. Last months’ rate was six-tenths higher than the national rate of 3.6%.

In the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area, the unemployment rate increased by two-tenths of a percentage point to 4.5%. Total employment decreased by 3,000 and the number of unemployed increased 4,000 last month. Last month’s rate is five-tenths of a percentage point higher than the May 2018 rate of 4.0%.

Highlights from the monthly job report by the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget include:

- The state’s labor force has grown by 59,000 since August 2018
- The May 2019 count of 207,000 unemployed was the highest since April 2018
- Over the year, total employment advanced by 46,000 and unemployment rose by 3,000
- Payroll jobs dropped by 6,000 last month
- Manufacturing in Michigan recorded a job decline for the third consecutive month
- The leisure and hospitality sector added jobs for the fifth consecutive month, resulting in a record high job total of 443,000
- Payroll employment over the year advanced by 23,000 or 0.5%

To read the full report, please click here.

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