Missouri unemployment rate falls to 4.4 percent

Statewide unemployment fell to 6.4 percent in December, compared with 6.5 percent in November and 7 percent in December 2014, the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation reported Wednesday.

The latest jobs report from the Oregon Employment Department shows that after November’s huge growth in the labor force, payroll employment continued to rise in the weeks that followed – although more slowly.

The unemployment rate in the Seattle metro area was last this high in February past year. The labor force overall grew by 39,000.

Following November’s revised employment growth of 4,100 new jobs, Missouri’s net nonfarm payroll employment for December was essentially unchanged, decreasing by 100 jobs. That sector lost 200 workers during the year. The jobless rate peaked at 13.7 percent at the height of the recession.

Two other major industries also expanded very rapidly with both growing at close to 4 percent: information (+1,300 jobs, or 4.0%) and professional and business services (+8,800 jobs, or 3.9%).

· December marked the fifth consecutive monthly total employment gain in the state. Nationally, unemployment is hovering around 5.0 percent.