The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services said Friday that Arkansas' unemployment rate decreased one tenth of a percentage point, from 4.6% in January to 4.5% in February.
The decline came as the civilian labor force declined by 12,775, a result of 10,820 fewer employed and 1,955 fewer unemployed Arkansans.
The U.S. jobless rate also decreased one tenth of a percentage point, down to 6.2% in February.
"The unemployment rate in Arkansas decreased one tenth of a percentage point in February, due to a decline in the size of the civilian labor force," BLS Program Operations Manager Susan Price said in a news release. "While still up compared to February 2020, Arkansas' jobless rate is one and seven tenths of a percentage point lower than the national rate."
Compared to February 2020, nonfarm payroll jobs in Arkansas are down by 41,500. Declines occurred in 10 major industry sectors.
Employment in leisure and hospitality fell by 15,400 — most of it in food services (11,500).
Jobs in government decreased by 8,500, with local government posting the largest decline (6,100).
Educational and health services lost 7,600 jobs mostly in health care and social assistance (7,000).
Jobs in manufacturing are down by 4,400, largely in nondurable goods manufacturing (4,100).
Professional and business services job were down by 3,000, information job were down by 1,200 and financial activities were down by 1,000.
Jobs in construction rose by 600.