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LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate rose by two-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 5.0 percent in December, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget.
Employment receded by 11,000 over the month, while unemployment rose by 8,000, resulting in a workforce decline of 3,000 since November.
“After three consecutive years of jobless rate declines, Michigan’s annual average unemployment rate rose during 2024,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “However, the state’s annual average labor force level and payroll jobs total both increased over the year.”
The national unemployment rate receded by one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.1 percent during December. Michigan’s December unemployment rate was nine-tenths of a percentage point larger than the U.S. rate. Over the year, the national jobless rate advanced by three-tenths of a percentage point, while the statewide rate increased by 0.9 percentage points since December 2023.
Labor force trends and highlights:
Michigan’s preliminary annual average unemployment rate in 2024 was 4.5 percent, six tenths of a percentage point larger than the 2023 annual average rate of 3.9 percent.
Total employment in Michigan averaged 4,821,000 in 2024, and there was an average of 228,000 unemployed people. The state’s annual labor force level was 5,049,000 during 2024.
Annual average trends and highlights