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Missouri December jobs report shows unemployment increase

In December, Missouri’s adjusted unemployment rate increased by 1.3 percentage points from November, and showed 2.4 percentage points higher than in December 2019. Despite the increase, unemployment has been either below or equal to the national rate for 69 consecutive months.

Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased again in December 2020, but a large increase in the civilian labor force sent unemployment higher.

Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 10,400 jobs over the month, and over-the year job losses from COVID-19 shutdowns fell below 100,000. However, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by 1.3 percentage points from November 2020 to December 2020 as the civilian labor force increased by more than 70,000 over the month.

The labor market still showed substantial losses from 2019 levels, and ongoing COVID infections pose a threat of continued economic challenges.

Missouri’s smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by 1.3 percentage points in December 2020, jumping to 5.8 percent from a revised November 2020 rate of 4.5 percent.

The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 180,137 in December 2020, up by 45,701 from November’s 134,436.

Despite the increase, Missouri’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has now been either below or equal to the national rate for 69 consecutive months. The national unemployment rate was 6.7 percent in December 2020. 

Due to lingering layoffs from COVID-19 shutdowns, Missouri’s December 2020 rate was also 2.4 percentage points higher than the December 2019 rate.