State's unemployment rate increases to 7.9 percent

CBJ Admin
Thursday, Jun 14, 2012

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development Karla Davis announced Tennessee’s unemployment rate for May increased to 7.9 percent, up from the April revised rate of 7.7 percent. The national unemployment rate for May 2012 was 8.2 percent, 0.1 percentage point higher than the April rate.

“Tennessee’s employment change this month is relatively flat with a slight increase in the amount of people reentering the workforce to look for work,” said Davis. “Even though the unemployment rate had a slight increase, it is the first increase we have seen since November 2010.”

Economic Summary:

• The April unemployment rate was revised down 0.1 percentage point to 7.7 percent from 7.8 percent;

• Employment, unemployment, and the labor force increased in May;

• Total nonfarm employment decreased 1,700 jobs from April to May;

• Over the year we have seen an increase of 39,100 jobs.