Michigan Business Beat | Shibani Putatunda Reviewing Michigan's May 2025 Unemployment Statistics

Chris Holman welcomes back Shibani Putatunda, Economic Specialist, with the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics What is going on in Michigan’s labor market this month? How did Michigan’s unemployment rate compare with the U.S. and other states in May? Which industries saw the greatest change in number of jobs during May? What happened in the Michigan regions this month? What would you say is the key takeaway for Michigan’s labor market this month? Where can we find more information on Michigan’s labor market? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate edged down by one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 5.4 percent, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Employment was reduced by 5,000 over the month, and the number of unemployed people fell by 1,000. Michigan’s labor force receded by 7,000 during May. “Michigan’s labor market remained stable over the month, with a minor unemployment rate reduction in May,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for Michigan’s Center for Data and Analytics. “Statewide payroll jobs also rose over the month and over the year.” The U.S. unemployment rate remained constant for the third consecutive month at 4.2 percent. Michigan’s jobless rate in May was 1.2 percentage points above the national rate. Over the year, the national unemployment rate rose by two-tenths of a percentage point, while the statewide rate increased by 0.9 percentage points since May 2024. Labor force trends and highlights After two years of jobless rates that increased or remained stable over the month, Michigan’s unemployment rate decreased in May to 5.4 percent, a rate last seen during February 2025. Michigan’s total workforce edged down by 0.1 percent over the month, while the national labor force receded by 0.4 percent since April. Total employment fell by 0.2 percent over the year. In comparison, the U.S. total number of employed advanced by 1.3 percent during the same period. The May statewide labor force participation rate decreased by one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 61.9 percent. Michigan’s employment-population ratio also fell by a tenth of a percentage point to 58.5 percent during May. Detroit metro area jobless rate recedes in May The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by one-tenth of a percentage point to 5.0 percent during May. Employment in the Detroit MSA rose by 4,000, while unemployment fell by 3,000, resulting in a slight labor force increase of 1,000 over the month. Over the year, the Detroit MSA unemployment rate advanced by 0.7 percentage points. Employment fell by 5,000 and unemployment advanced by 16,000 since May 2024. Michigan payroll employment increases in May According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll jobs advanced by 10,000, or 0.2 percent, during May.