Department of Numbers

Mississippi Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Mississippi fell 0.2 percentage points in May 2023 to 3.2%. The state unemployment rate was 0.5 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Mississippi peaked in April 2020 at 15.6% and is now 12.4 percentage points lower. You can also see Mississippi unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate May 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
National 3.7% +0.3 +0.1
Mississippi 3.2% -0.2 -0.5

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

Unemployment Rate: Mississippi, National

Mississippi monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to May 2023

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Mississippi Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Mississippi peaked in April 2020 at 188,083. There are now 148,167 fewer people unemployed in the state. Mississippi job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons May 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
Mississippi 39,916 -2,007 -6,222

Number of Unemployed Persons

Monthly chart of total unemployed in Mississippi from 1990 to May 2023

Mississippi Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate
Mississippi
Unemployment Rate
Mississippi
Unemployed
June 2023 3.6%
May 2023 3.7% 3.2% 39,916
April 2023 3.4% 3.4% 41,923
March 2023 3.5% 3.5% 44,011
February 2023 3.6% 3.7% 46,510
January 2023 3.4% 3.9% 48,658
December 2022 3.5% 4.0% 50,106
November 2022 3.6% 4.1% 50,302
October 2022 3.7% 4.1% 50,337
September 2022 3.5% 4.0% 49,799
August 2022 3.7% 3.9% 48,793
July 2022 3.5% 3.8% 47,406