Great Lakes Wire

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued the following statement after the release of the latest economic numbers showing the unemployment rate fell to 3.8% in April, comparable to the lowest levels Michigan has seen only three times since the 1970s. The labor force participation rate increased to its highest level in nearly three years. The state’s labor force increased by 18,000, the economy added 61,000 jobs year over year, and the 12-month average Black unemployment rate in April is comparable to 20-year lows. 

“Michigan’s economy is moving. We have a low unemployment rate of 3.8%, comparable to the lowest levels Michigan has seen only three times since the ‘70s. Our strong labor market means working people are finding good-paying jobs, companies are investing and expanding in Michigan, and families have more money to buy food, get gas, and save for their children’s futures.  

“This year, with a productive majority in Lansing, we have brought thousands of good-paying American manufacturing jobs home, cut taxes by $1 billion for seniors and working families, and powered economic development in every region with business expansions, housing investments, and community revitalization projects. 

 “Let’s build on our growth in the months ahead to deliver another balanced budget that makes a real difference in people’s lives and lowers costs.”

 A Strong Jobs Report

• Unemployment rate dropped to 3.8% in April, tying the pre-pandemic February 2020 rate.
• Since the mid-1970s, Michigan’s unemployment rate only fell below 4.0% during three periods: periodically from 1998-2000, from November 2019 to March 2020, and now.
• In April, Michigan had a total labor force of 4,869,000. This was an increase of 18,000 over the month and 26,000 over the year.  The state recorded 4,420,000 payroll jobs in April, an increase of 5,000 jobs over March and an increase of 61,000 jobs over the year.
• Michigan’s labor force participation rate climbed to 60.2 percent this month, the highest rate since September 2020.

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