Unemployment Rate Remains at 10-Year Low of 3.6 Percent
NAPLES, Fla. — Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that Florida businesses created nearly 14,000 private-sector jobs across the state in November. The state’s unemployment rate also remained at a 10-year low of 3.6 percent. Since December 2010, Florida businesses have created 1,465,800 jobs. Florida’s annual job growth rate of 2.5 percent continues to exceed the nation’s rate of 1.6 percent.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Florida’s unemployment rate is at a 10-year low and that nearly 14,000 jobs were created for families across the state last month. As we near the end of the year, it is important to reflect on how far our state has come and how we must continue to fight every day to build on this success. Over the past seven years, we have turned around Florida’s economy which has allowed us to make record investments in education, transportation and environmental protection. I look forward to kicking off 2018 by working to continue cutting taxes, supporting job creation and education opportunities, and doing all we can to help secure Florida’s future for every family. Florida is a national leader in job creation and the rest of the nation should follow our lead.”
As of November, Florida’s unemployment rate had dropped 7.1 percentage points since December 2010, faster than the national decline of 5.2 percentage points. In the last year, 199,000 people entered Florida’s labor force, a growth of 2.0 percent, which is nearly three times the national labor force growth rate of only 0.7 percent.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Florida is ending the year on a good economic note as the unemployment rate remains at a 10-year low of 3.6 percent and businesses continue to recover from Hurricane Irma. More people are entering the labor force and jobs are being created in diverse industries. The Sunshine State remains the best place for families to live the American Dream.”
Other positive economic indicators include:
- Private-sector industries gaining the most jobs over-the-year were:
- Construction with 41,800 new jobs;
- Professional and business services with 41,000 new jobs;
- Trade, transportation and utilities with 33,500 new jobs;
- Financial activities with 15,500 new jobs; and
- Education and health services with 15,200 new jobs.
- Florida job postings showed 254,611 openings in November 2017.
- In November, Florida’s 24 regional workforce boards reported 16,990 Floridians, including 944 veterans, were placed in jobs.
To view the November 2017 employment data visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.
