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April's unemployment numbers the same
234,000 jobs lost since beginning of recession

PHOENIX - The loss of jobs slowed in Arizona in April resulting in the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate being essentially unchanged at 7.7 percent compared to 7.8 percent in March, according to the Arizona Department of Commerce. Arizona's unemployment figures remain lower than the national average, 8.9 percent (8.5 percent in March).

Arizona's non-farm payrolls had a slight decrease of 1,600 jobs in April. Since the beginning of the national recession (December 2007), Arizona's economy has lost 234,000 jobs.

Five of the 11 major industry groups posted gains in the month. Those gains were seen in professional and business services (plus-4,400 jobs); leisure and hospitality (plus-2,200 jobs); government (plus-1,200 jobs - federal); manufacturing (plus-300 jobs); and, information (plus-100 jobs).

Losses were reported in the remaining six industries: construction (minus-2,700 jobs); trade, transportation and utilities (-2,600 jobs); natural resource and mining (minus-1,400 jobs); financial activities (minus-1,300 jobs); other services (minus-1,200 jobs); and, educational and health services (minus-600 jobs).

While the public sector reported an over-the-month increase in employment in April with a gain of 1,200 jobs, the private sector lost 2,800 jobs.

There are encouraging signs in the April 2009 employment figures. However, one month of slowing losses does not necessarily make a trend, according to the Arizona Department of Commerce. The moderation in the pace of over-the-year non-farm job losses is significant. Other hopeful signs include over-the-month job gains in five out of the 11 major industry groups. In addition, the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained relatively unchanged at 7.7 percent, while the national rate rose four-tenths to 8.9 percent.

In conclusion, the state's economy continues to be weak with over-the-year losses in 10 out of 11 major industries including educational and health services, which recorded its first over-the-year loss in employment since 1990.

For detailed information, graphs and charts on Arizona data, visit www.workforce.az.gov.


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