Michigan's unemployment rate slides to 10.7 percent
Michigan's unemployment rate slipped to 10.7 percent in January, its lowest point since December 2008, according to statistics released today by the state government.
The rate declined 0.4 percentage points from 11.1 percent in December. That rate was retroactively adjusted downward based on finalized data showing that the state economy was slightly better than previously believed.
The state's unemployment rate is 3 percentage points lower than it was in January 2010. Since then, Michigan has added 75,000 jobs, but the state's workforce — the number of employed workers and unemployed people who are actively seeking a job — has also declined by 74,000 people.
Washtenaw County's unemployment rate in December was 6.6 percent, down from 7.2 percent in November. That's its lowest point since December 2008.
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Comments
Bear
Thu, Mar 10, 2011 : 12:09 p.m.
many times, it isn't an actual decline in unemployment, but that a number of people have exhausted their unemployment benefits. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) drops people from the work force once that happens. It can also be accounted for by the 'discouraged worker syndrome'. If asked 'Are you actively looking for work and a person replies, 'No, there is no work in my field and I cannot find a job." then you are also dropped from the numbers of the work force. If you go back to school in order to improve your skills and marketability, once agaIn, you are dropped from the numbers of those in the work force. So, sans seeing where the difference in numbers comes from, I am suspicious of any 'unexpected' drop in unemployment numbers, which, historically, are suppressed and under-reported simply by the criteria that the BLS uses to gather it's data. So, in my opinion, this isn't news. I'd be overjoyed to see this trend continue & increase, but I get the feeling it's just a blip on the radar.
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball
Wed, Mar 9, 2011 : 11:28 p.m.
And wasn't the total MI employed down by 5,000 as well - the tale of the tape is people are dropping out of the Michigan job market entirely.
Thinktanker
Wed, Mar 9, 2011 : 10:35 p.m.
It's called "outsourcing" - the jobs are not gone, they just shifted a few hundred thousand miles to the East. An we are supposed to be surprised we have 10% unemployment?
johnnya2
Wed, Mar 9, 2011 : 11:13 p.m.
100,000 miles east? You sure about that? It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, then to speak and erase all doubt.
John B.
Wed, Mar 9, 2011 : 11 p.m.
The jobs shifted out into deep space?
grye
Wed, Mar 9, 2011 : 8:37 p.m.
Alright, who is going to claim responsibility for this good new?