Department of Numbers

Arkansas Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Arkansas fell 0.2 percentage points in March 2023 to 3.0%. The state unemployment rate was 0.5 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Arkansas peaked in April 2020 at 10.1% and is now 7.1 percentage points lower. You can also see Arkansas unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate March 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
National 3.5% -0.1 -0.1
Arkansas 3.0% -0.2 -0.1

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

Unemployment Rate: Arkansas, National

Arkansas monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to March 2023

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Arkansas Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Arkansas peaked in April 2020 at 137,037. There are now 96,200 fewer people unemployed in the state. Arkansas job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons March 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
Arkansas 40,837 -2,833 -2,225

Number of Unemployed Persons

Monthly chart of total unemployed in Arkansas from 1990 to March 2023

Arkansas Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate
Arkansas
Unemployment Rate
Arkansas
Unemployed
April 2023 3.4%
March 2023 3.5% 3.0% 40,837
February 2023 3.6% 3.2% 43,670
January 2023 3.4% 3.4% 46,604
December 2022 3.5% 3.4% 47,352
November 2022 3.6% 3.5% 47,676
October 2022 3.7% 3.5% 47,962
September 2022 3.5% 3.5% 47,598
August 2022 3.7% 3.4% 46,810
July 2022 3.5% 3.3% 45,564
June 2022 3.6% 3.2% 44,377
May 2022 3.6% 3.2% 43,523