Arkansas Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Arkansas fell 0.2 percentage points in December 2011 to 7.7%. The state unemployment rate was 0.8 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Arkansas peaked in August 2011 at 8.3% and is now 0.6 percentage points lower. You can also see Arkansas unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	8.5%	-0.2	-0.9
Arkansas	7.7%	-0.2	-0.2

Note: All comparisons are made with December data as January state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Arkansas, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Arkansas Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Arkansas peaked in September 2011 at 112,419. There are now 7,125 fewer people unemployed in the state. Arkansas job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
Arkansas	105,294	-3,208	-1,878

Number of Unemployed Persons

Arkansas Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Arkansas Unemployment Rate	Arkansas Unemployed
January 2012	8.3%	—	—
December 2011	8.5%	7.7%	105,294
November 2011	8.7%	7.9%	108,502
October 2011	8.9%	8.2%	111,763
September 2011	9.0%	8.3%	112,419
August 2011	9.1%	8.3%	112,031
July 2011	9.1%	8.2%	110,817
June 2011	9.1%	8.1%	109,369
May 2011	9.0%	7.8%	106,803
April 2011	9.0%	7.7%	105,721
March 2011	8.9%	7.7%	106,104
February 2011	9.0%	7.8%	106,090
January 2011	9.1%	7.8%	106,914