December 19, 2007 - Michigan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in November decreased by three-tenths of a percentage point to 7.4 percent, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).  Total employment rose by 25,000 as unemployment declined by 17,000.  As a result, the state's labor force edged upward by 8,000 over the month.

Michigan's November 2007 jobless rate is three-tenths of a percentage point above the state's November 2006 rate of 7.1 percent.  The national rate rose by two-tenths of a percentage point in the same period.

"Modest recalls in manufacturing caused a slight reduction in Michigan's November jobless rate," said Rick Waclawek, director of DLEG's Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. "The number of payroll jobs in the state edged up slightly by 3,000 during this time period."

Monthly Labor Force Trends & Highlights

• November marked the first monthly unemployment rate decline for the state since May.
  
  
• Michigan's labor force has declined in 2007.  With 11 months of data in, the year-to-date average 2007 work force in the state totaled 5,044,000.  This was a reduction of 37,000 from the 2006 annual average work force of 5,081,000.
  
  
• Since November 2006, statewide unemployment increased by 10,000 or 2.8 percent, which compares favorably to the 5.0 percent rise in national unemployment in the same period.
  
  
• From November 2006 to November 2007, total employment in Michigan fell by 71,000 or 1.5 percent.  Total employment nationally increased by 0.7 percent in the same time frame.
  
  
• The national jobless rate in November was unchanged over the month at 4.7 percent.

MICHIGAN
Labor Force Estimates
Seasonally Adjusted
(Data in Thousands)

Detroit Metropolitan Area's November Jobless Rate Declines

The Detroit-Warren-Livonia Metropolitan Statistical Area's (MSA's) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in November decreased by three-tenths of a percentage point to 7.7 percent.  Total employment edged upward by 4,000 and unemployment declined by 7,000 as the area's labor force decreased slightly by 3,000.

From November 2006 to November 2007, the metropolitan area's jobless rate increased slightly by two-tenths of a percentage point.  Over the year, total employment and the labor force fell in the metro area by 34,000 and 32,000 respectively.  Unemployment was little changed in that period, inching up by 2,000.

Detroit-Warren-Livonia MSA
Labor Force Estimates
Seasonally Adjusted
(Data in Thousands)

November Payroll Jobs Little Changed

According to the monthly survey of employers, seasonally adjusted Michigan payroll jobs edged upward in November by 3,000 to total 4,245,000.  Payroll jobs were little changed over the month in most industry sectors.  Moderate job gains in professional and business services (+3,000) and manufacturing (+2,000) were somewhat offset by a decline in government (-2,000).  The remainder of the major industry sectors showed only minor job gains or losses in November.

Industry Employment Trends and Highlights

• Even with the minor increase over the month, Michigan's November payroll job count was 38,000 below the 2007 11-month average of 4,283,000 jobs.
  
  
• Manufacturing posted its first up tick since June.
  
  
• Jobs in education and health services in November reached the highest monthly total so far in 2007, and along with that, posted an all-time record high.
  
  
• Government jobs declined for the third consecutive month in November and recorded the lowest total in 2007.
  
  
• The financial activities sector was little changed over the month, however, over the year this sector lost 5,000 jobs statewide.  This is mostly due to losses in the sub-sectors within financial activities that are involved with mortgages and real estate, and is related to the nationwide housing crisis.
  
  
• From November 2006 to November 2007, payroll jobs in Michigan fell by 77,000 or 1.8 percent.  In that period, the industry sectors showing the most significant job loss included manufacturing (-27,000), government (-19,000), construction (-16,000), and trade, transportation and utilities (-12,000).
  
  
• Since November 2006, education and health services (+9,000) was the only major industry sector in Michigan to register significant job growth.
  
  
• Seasonally adjusted average weekly hours and earnings of production workers in manufacturing declined over the month, but increased over the year.

The Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) is investing in Michigan's future by helping to create the jobs of today and tomorrow, ensuring that our children and adults have the skills these jobs demand, making Michigan a better place to do business, and training and placing those who need jobs now.

Note to Editors:  Please ensure that the source for state unemployment rates reads "Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth."

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.