May 20, 2009 – Michigan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in April edged upward by three-tenths of a percentage point to 12.9 percent, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG).  Unemployment rose by 18,000 over the month while total employment declined by 11,000.  The state recorded a modest 7,000 labor force increase.

The U.S. unemployment rate rose at a slightly faster pace than in Michigan, increasing by four-tenths of a percentage point in April to 8.9 percent.

Michigan's April 2009 jobless rate was five full percentage points above the state's April 2008 rate of 7.9 percent.  In the same period, the national jobless rate also registered a substantial jump, rising by three and nine-tenths percentage points.

"Michigan's difficult labor market patterns continued in April," said Rick Waclawek, director of DELEG's Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives.  "The state jobless rate rose moderately, and large job losses occurred in manufacturing and construction."

Monthly Labor Force Trends & Highlights

• April's jobless rate increase was the smallest monthly advance since October.
  
  
• Although minor, the April increase in the state's labor force was the first monthly gain since December 2006.
  
  
• Michigan's total employment decline of 11,000 in April was far less then the average monthly decline of 52,000 registered in the first three months of the year.

MICHIGAN
Labor Force Estimates
Seasonally Adjusted
(Data in Thousands)

Detroit Metropolitan Area's April Jobless Rate Jumps

The Detroit-Warren-Livonia Metropolitan Statistical Area's (MSA's) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in April rose by one and one-tenth percentage points to 14.4 percent. The area's unemployment level increased sharply by 27,000 while total employment also increased, edging upward by 5,000.  The net result was an over-the-month labor force advance in the Detroit MSA of 32,000.

From April 2008 to April 2009, the metropolitan area's jobless rate jumped by six and one-tenth percentage points.  This was over a full percentage point above the statewide advance in the same period.  Since April 2008, total employment fell by 135,000 and unemployment rose by 127,000.

Detroit-Warren-Livonia MSA
Labor Force Estimates
Seasonally Adjusted
(Data in Thousands)

Manufacturing, Construction Push Payroll Jobs Downward in April

According to the monthly survey of employers, seasonally adjusted Michigan payroll jobs fell in April by 38,000 to total 3,901,000.  A drop of 22,000 jobs in manufacturing led the declines, while construction (-9,000) also recorded a significant reduction.  A lesser over-the-month decrease was posted in trade, transportation and utilities (-4,000).  The remaining major sectors reported relatively minor, but mostly negative changes in April.

Industry Employment Trends and Highlights

• The April decline in statewide payroll jobs was the largest since January's 63,000 loss.
  
  
• Monthly payroll job declines in Michigan began to accelerate in November 2008.  From November to April, monthly job losses averaged 37,000, which was essentially the same as the April decrease.
  
  
• Jobs in professional and business services were steady in April after recording consistent monthly declines throughout 2008 and into early 2009.
  
  
• April marked the first decrease in manufacturing jobs since January.  This sector was stable in February and March.
  
  
• Jobs in the education and health services sector were basically unchanged in April.  The sector had reported steady monthly gains for a number of years, however since October 2008, it has been essentially flat.  Over the year education and health services remains as the only major industry sector in the state to show job growth (+7,000).
  
  
• From April 2008 to April 2009, payroll jobs in Michigan fell by 285,000 or 6.8 percent.  Nearly all industry sectors within the state registered significant job losses in this period.  On a percentage basis, the largest job declines were posted in manufacturing (-18.8%), construction (-14.1%), and professional and business services (-11.3%).
  
  
• Seasonally adjusted average weekly hours and earnings of production workers in manufacturing were up slightly over the month, but fell over the year.

The Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) is investing in Michigan's future by helping to create the jobs of today and tomorrow, ensuring that our children and adults have the skills these jobs demand, making Michigan a better place to do business, and training and placing those who need jobs now.

Note to Editors:  Please ensure that the source for state unemployment rates reads "Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth."

Read more releases from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.