LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- According to the Department of Workforce Services, unemployment is up by 7.2 percent.

Arkansas Civilian Labor Force Summary:

Labor force data, produced by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics and released today by the Department of Workforce Services, show Arkansas' seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point from 7.1 percent in December to 7.2 percent in January. Arkansas' civilian labor force decreased 3,300, a result of 4,100 fewer employed and 800 more unemployed Arkansans. The United States' jobless rate also increased one-tenth of a percentage point, reaching 7.9 percent in January.

DWS Communications Director Kimberly Friedman said, "Arkansas' unemployment rate rose slightly in January, related in large part to the decline in employment. The rate increase was not unexpected and mirrors the trend seen at the national level."

Arkansas Nonfarm Payroll Job Summary:

Arkansas' nonfarm payroll jobs declined 20,800 in January to total 1,163,700. Losses were posted in all eleven major industry sectors. Jobs in government dropped 6,100. Most of the decreases occurred in state (-4,200) and local (-1,400) government, attributed to the holiday break in public schools. Trade, transportation, and utilities employment fell 5,800. A majority of the losses occurred in retail trade (-3,400), related to the end of the holiday shopping season. Jobs in construction declined 2,700, a typical seasonal fluctuation. Professional and business services decreased 1,900. Most of the contractions occurred in administrative and support services (-1,700), which includes employment agencies.

Since January 2012, nonfarm payroll jobs in Arkansas rose 5,300. Five major industry sectors posted
job growth, more than offsetting declines in six sectors. Trade, transportation, and utilities added
8,300 jobs, with a majority of the gains occurring in the retail trade subsector (+6,300). Jobs in
educational and health services increased 2,400. Most of the growth was reported in health care and
social assistance (+2,000), particularly in ambulatory health care. Employment in leisure and
hospitality rose 1,300. Food services added a majority of the jobs (+1,000), with reported hiring split
between both full service and limited service restaurants. Construction posted the greatest loss
(-2,700). Employment declines were reported in highway, street and bridge construction, related to
project completions.

Changes Affecting 2011, 2012, and 2013 Data:

Arkansas Civilian Labor Force Statistics:

In accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor guidelines, Arkansas' Civilian Labor Force (CLF) estimates for 2011 and 2012 are currently undergoing annual processing. The purpose of annual processing is to incorporate more complete and accurate information into the estimation process. All levels of data are being revised, including the state, counties, cities, Metropolitan Statistical Areas, and Micropolitan Statistical Areas.

The revised 2011 and 2012 CLF estimates for the statewide level have already been updated and can be found at www.discover.arkansas.gov. Revised 2011 and 2012 CLF estimates for all sub-state areas will be released to the public on April 19, 2013, at www.bls.gov. The sub-state estimates will be updated on the Discover Arkansas website in early May 2013.

Arkansas Nonfarm Payroll Jobs:

Nonfarm payroll employment estimates from April 2011 through December 2012 recently underwent the annual updating process. The revised estimates will be available March 18, 2013, on the Discover Arkansas website.

Beginning with the January 2013 estimates, the educational and health services industry sector will again include educational services as a subsector. Educational services was a published subsector until December 2004, when it was discontinued due to reduced sample size. As part of the series re-establishment, a historical reconstruction is being performed back to January 2005.

(Content by Dept. of Workforce Services)