The easing of restrictions and gradual reopening of the economy in late spring and early summer after months of closures because of the COVID-19 pandemic, likely factored into an improving employment picture for Indiana in June.
The Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported the state’s jobless rate dropped to 11.2% in June, down 1.1% from May’s figure of 12.3%. Indiana’s June jobless rate was below the national rate of 11.1%.
Indiana's jobless rate in June 2019 was 3.3%.
The state said Indiana’s labor force had a net increase of 53,484 over the previous month. This was a result of a decrease of 28,747 unemployed residents and an increase of 82,231 employed residents.
Indiana's total labor force, which includes both Hoosiers employed and those seeking employment, stood at 3.39 million in June. The state’s 64.3% labor force participation rate is above the national rate of 61.5%.
Private sector employment has decreased by 182,200 over the year and increased by 128,900 over the previous month, the state said. The monthly increase is primarily due to gains in the leisure and hospitality (46,900), manufacturing (19,000) and private education and health services (16,700).
Total private employment totaled 2,552,400, which is 196,900 below the January 2019 peak, the state said.
