State unemployment rate edges higher to 4.3%

LANSING (AP) - Michigan's unemployment rate has edged higher in July to 4.3% from 4.2% a month earlier.

Figures released Wednesday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget show total employment edged up by 1,000 while the number of jobless workers increased slightly by 2,000 over the month.

Last month's national unemployment rate was 3.7%, unchanged from June.

Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives Director Jason Palmer notes in a statement that Michigan's total workforce and employment levels have both advanced over the past year.

Figures show the number of unemployed in Michigan rose for the fifth consecutive month in July. Unemployment has increased by 16,000, or 8.2%, since the beginning of 2019.

Published: Fri, Aug 16, 2019