Idaho’s economy continued slowing in April as the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up a tenth to 3.1 percent from March, and for the first time in 5½ years fewer people were working across the state than a year earlier.
Continued sluggishness in construction and a ninth straight month of declining employment in manufacturing contributed to nearly 800 more people looking for work, raising the ranks of the unemployed to just over 23,000 in April – 2,500 more people off the job than a year ago.
At the same time, total employment was down 3,800 from March and over 1,400 from April 2007. The last time monthly employment came in below the previous year’s level was September 2002 in the aftermath of the national recession. It was the second month of 2008 that the state economy shed over 3,000 workers, leaving total employment at its lowest level since March 2007 when 729,700 people were working.
Statewide the labor force shrank by over 3,000 in April as potential workers left for any number of reasons including discouragement over fewer prospects for good-paying jobs and to pursue additional education or training that will pay dividends when the economy picks up again.
April’s rate was four-tenths of a percentage point above one year ago and marked the third straight monthly increase. It also is the highest unemployment rate Idaho has experienced since August 2006. Still, the rate was 1.9 percentage points below the national rate of 5 percent and the 79th month that Idaho’s rate has been below the national rate.
The number of workers without jobs has increased every month in 2008 following 62 consecutive months of decreases. The number of jobless workers hit its highest level since July 2006, and those filing claims and receiving unemployment Insurance checks were up over 42 percent through April compared to the first four months of 2007.
April’s nonfarm payrolls in Idaho rose barely a percentage point from March, well below the five-year average but still four times better than national job growth. Employment opportunities are expected to increase only slightly across the state in most industries and several expect continued payroll erosion – including construction, wood products manufacturing, computer and electronics manufacturing, food products manufacturing and services to buildings.
The summer employment outlook is being tempered by escalating gas prices and the impact on tourist related jobs. Agriculture has been challenged this spring with the volatile weather, but there appears to be an adequate supply of water for the growing season.
For the first time since August 2005, one of Idaho’s counties experienced a double-digit unemployment rate – Benewah at 10.1 percent. Clearwater County was the second highest with 9 percent.
Unemployment rates at or below 2 percent were posted in eight counties – Gooding, Jefferson, Oneida and Owyhee at 2 percent, Franklin at 1.9 percent, Teton at 1.8 percent, Madison at 1.7 percent and Clark at 1.3 percent.
Seasonally Adjusted Forecast Data
|
|
4/08
|
3/08
|
4/07
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force
|
753,200
|
756,100
|
752,100
|
|
Unemployment
|
23,100
|
22,300
|
20,600
|
|
% Labor Force Unemployed
|
3.1
|
3.0
|
2.7
|
|
Total Employment
|
730,100
|
733,800
|
731,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unadjusted Forecast Data
|
4/08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Civilian Labor Force
|
748,200
|
751,500
|
747,400
|
|
Unemployment
|
25,200
|
28,800
|
22,100
|
|
% Labor Force Unemployed
|
3.4
|
3.8
|
3.0
|
|
Total Employment
|
723,000
|
722,700
|
725,300
|