Arkansas Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Arkansas rose 0.2 percentage points in November 2023 to 3.3%. The state unemployment rate was 0.4 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Arkansas peaked in April 2020 at 10.1% and is now 6.8 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.6% in June 2023, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.7 percentage points. You can also see Arkansas unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	November 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.7%	-0.1	+0.1
Arkansas	3.3%	+0.2	-0.2

Note: All comparisons are made with November data as December state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Arkansas, National

Arkansas monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to November 2023

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Arkansas Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Arkansas peaked in April 2020 at 137,037. There are now 91,758 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 35,624 in July 2023, the number of unemployed has now grown by 9,655. Arkansas job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	November 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
Arkansas	45,279	+2,686	-2,397

Number of Unemployed Persons