In Kansas for February 2021, the labor force shrank, the number of people working fell, and the unemployment rate fell.
Data released today from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, part of the United States Department of Labor, shows a deteriorating employment picture in Kansas for February 2021, even though the unemployment rate fell.
(Click charts and tables for larger versions.)
Using seasonally adjusted data, from January 2021 to February 2021, nonfarm employment in Kansas fell by 5,200 jobs (0.4 percent). Over the year, the number of Kansas nonfarm jobs for February 2021 was lower by 70,500 (4.9 percent) over the same month last year. This is using seasonally adjusted data. The non-adjusted figure is 72,500 fewer jobs (5.1 percent).
Over the year (February 2020 to February 2021), the Kansas labor force rose by 1,255 people (0.1 percent) using seasonally adjusted data, with a fall of 2,949 (0.2 percent) over the last month. Non-seasonal data shows a rise of 7,395 (0.5 percent) in the labor force over the year.
The Kansas economy had been adding jobs each month since May, but there was a decline in September. Since then, the monthly jobs count has both risen and fallen, usually by small amounts. There are now 87,500 more jobs in Kansas than in April 2020, which is the low point since the pandemic. There are 70,500 fewer jobs than in February 2020, just before the pandemic.
The number of unemployed persons fell from January 2021 to February 2021 by 3,917 (7.6 percent). The unemployment rate was 3.2 percent in February, the same as one year ago, and down 0.2 percentage points from last month.
Comparing Kansas to the nation: Using seasonal data, the number of Kansas nonfarm jobs is 4.93 percent lower than 12 months ago, while nationally, the same statistic is 6.21 percent lower. Non-seasonal data shows the number of Kansas nonfarm jobs is 5.1 percent lower than 12 months ago, while nationally, the same statistic is 5.99 percent lower.
Click charts and tables for larger versions.
In the following chart showing job changes from the previous month, the magnitude of the changes in April through August overwhelms the other months. Since then, changes have been smaller, and both rising and falling, although January saw a large positive upswing followed by a fall in February.
In the following chart of job levels from the same month one year ago, the recent monthly figures show the recovery slowing for both Kansas and the nation.
In the following chart of unemployment rates, we see that the rate in Kansas is lower than the national rate, both before and after the pandemic.
In the following chart of changes in the labor force for Kansas and the nation, the labor force has both grown and shrank since the pandemic.
For industry groups, the following charts show the number of employees in various industries in February 2020 and February 2021.
This chart uses the same data, but shows the percent change from February 2020. The Mining and logging category is lowest, proportionally, followed by Leisure and hospitality and Information. No industry group has gained employees.
The report for this month from the Kansas Department of Labor is here. The report from BLS may be found here.
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