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Lagging Labor Force in St. Louis

While more people across the state are starting to return to work, the number of people in the labor force in St. Louis continues to dwindle.

Posted Fri, Jun 1, 2012 at 12:55 am CT|Updated Fri, Jun 1, 2012 at 2:27 am CT

While more people across the state are starting to return to work, the number of people in the labor force in St. Louis continues to dwindle.

The unemployment rate in April dropped in each of the state's eight metropolitan areas compared to the previous month, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In the St. Louis metro area, the jobless rate fell to 7.4 percent compared to 8.4 percent in March.

However, the number of people in the labor force in the region inched lower by .02 percent in April.

Meanwhile, as Missouri Journal reported, more people in the state started jobs during April than exited the labor force for the first time this year. To be counted as unemployed, a person must actively be searching for employment.

The unemployment rate inched lower to 7.3 percent during April across the state compared to a jobless rate of 7.4 percent in March.

The labor force climbed during April in the Kansas City area, Joplin and Jefferson City.

The number of people in the labor force remained even in Springfield and Cape Girardeau.

Similar to St. Louis, the labor force also fell in Columbia and St. Joseph.

The state unemployment and labor force report for May is scheduled to be released June 12.

Hook is editor of Missouri Journal, which tracks the economy across the Show-Me State.

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