In Kansas for April 2021, the labor force fell, the number of people working fell, and the unemployment rate fell, all compared to the previous month.
Data released this week from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, part of the United States Department of Labor, shows a deteriorating employment picture in Kansas for April 2021 when compared to the previous month.
(Click charts and tables for larger versions.)
Using seasonally adjusted data, from March 2021 to April 2021, nonfarm employment in Kansas fell slightly by 1,400 jobs (0.1 percent). Over the year, the number of Kansas nonfarm jobs for April 2021 was higher by 101,600 (8.0 percent) over the same month last year. This is using seasonally adjusted data. The non-adjusted figure is 98,800 more jobs (7.7 percent).
Over the year (April 2020 to April 2021), the Kansas labor force rose by 22,444 people (1.5 percent) using seasonally adjusted data from the household survey, with a decline of 1,873 (0.1 percent) over the last month. Non-seasonal data shows an increase of 22,375 (1.5 percent) in the labor force over the year.
Since last summer, the monthly jobs count has both risen and fallen, usually by small amounts, with an increase in March significantly larger than others. There are now 101,600 more jobs in Kansas than in April 2020, which is the low point since the start of the pandemic. There are 54,600 fewer jobs than in February 2020, just before the pandemic.
The number of unemployed persons fell from March 2021 to April 2021 by 3,599 (6.4 percent). The unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in April, down 9.1 percentage points from last April, and up 0.2 percentage points from last month.
Comparing Kansas to the nation: Using seasonal data, the number of Kansas nonfarm jobs is 7.99 percent lower than 12 months ago, while nationally, the same statistic is 10.87 percent lower. Non-seasonal data shows the number of Kansas nonfarm jobs is 7.73 percent lower than 12 months ago, while nationally, the same statistic is 10.86 percent lower.
Click charts and tables for larger versions.
In the following chart showing job changes from the previous month, we can see the larger increase in jobs for March followed by a smaller loss in April.
In the following chart of job levels from the same month one year ago, the sharp increase from April 2020 (the low point since the start of the pandemic) to April 2021 is easily seen.
In the following chart of unemployment rates, we see that the rate in Kansas is lower than the national rate since the start of the pandemic, as it was before the pandemic. The unemployment rate in Kansas is generally declining, but not every month.
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 April 2020 and April 2021.
This chart uses the same data, but shows the percent change from April 2020. The Government, Financial Activities, Information and Mining and Logging categories have either unchanged or lower job counts. All other categories show gains, especially Leisure and Hospitality.
The report for this month from the Kansas Department of Labor is here. The report from BLS may be found here.
