Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Contact: August Cibarich, 608/266-0522

MADISON—The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today announced the state’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for the month of July was 3.7 percent, unchanged from the previous month.

Employment, unemployment, and labor force levels all experienced close to normal changes from June to July according to state labor analysts. Over the past year, however, a significant increase in the civilian labor force has translated into higher rates of unemployment across the state.

"The significant increase in the size of Wisconsin’s labor force over the last year indicates that efforts to draw workers into the labor force are paying off," said DWD Secretary Linda Stewart. "We also recognize, however, that it takes time for new entrants in the labor force to be absorbed into employment, which often results in temporary increases in unemployment."

Wisconsin has nearly 131,000 more people working now than it did last year at this time. However, the number of people in the state’s labor force has also gone up – by almost 157,000. State labor analysts say this is the primary reason unemployment rates have edged up in recent months.

"Never before have there been more people working in Wisconsin than there are today," said DWD Secretary Linda Stewart. "This is a testament, not only to the strength of the Wisconsin economy, but to the strong work ethic of the Wisconsin worker."

The national unemployment rate also was unchanged from June at 4.0 percent, marking the 150^th consecutive month that Wisconsin’s unemployment rate has been lower than the national rate.

NOTE TO NEWS MEDIA

County employment and unemployment figures for June should be available by August 22. This release and other labor market information is available on the department Internet site at: http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/dwelmi

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