Darren Brostrom

Interim Executive Director

NEWS
For Immediate Release
April 17, 2014

Contact: Michael Ziesch

701.328.2888 mziesch@nd.gov

North Dakotas Unemployment Rate 3.3% for March

Bismarck Job Service North Dakota reported that labor statistics released today show North Dakotas March not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.3 percent. The rate was largely unchanged from prior month (February 3.4 percent), and lower than a year ago (3.7 percent). The national rate in March was 6.8 percent. Michael Ziesch, Labor Market Information co-manager stated, The unemployment rate has remained relatively stable over the past few months as winter weather maintained its grip on the state. However, it did not hamper economic activity as the current months statistic is a historic March low eclipsing previous rate of 3.6 percent, which occurred in three different years. North Dakota Not Seasonally Adjusted Labor Force Data Unemployment Rate Unemployed Employed Labor Force March 2014 3.3% 13,142 389,985 403,127 February 2014 3.4% 13,766 386,422 400,188 March 2013 3.7% 14,420 379,539 393,959

The nations seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.7 percent for March, unchanged from prior month. The current months rate was 0.8 percentage points below last year (7.5 percent). The seasonally adjusted rate for North Dakota was 2.6 percent in March, unchanged over the month. The current months rate is a decrease from March 2013 (3.0 percent). The seasonal adjustment process utilizes a statistical adjustment to accommodate predictable fluctuations between months; such as length of daylight and typical weather. Seasonal adjustment allows for comparison between all months of a year. Seasonally Adjusted Rates March 2014 February 2014 2.6% 2.6% 6.7% 6.7%

North Dakota United States

Notes:

March 2013 3.0% 7.5%

1. The unemployment rate is the percentage of people actively seeking work compared to those in the labor force (employed plus unemployed). 2. Data are subject to revision. 3. The Job Service North Dakota Labor Market Information Center produced these statistics using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics nationallyrequired standard methodology. 4. County and substate areas will be posted on 4-23-2014 to the Labor Market Information website: http://www.ndworkforceintelligence.com.

Job Service North Dakota, PO Box 5507, Bismarck, ND 58506-5507 TTY: 1.800.366.6888 www.jobsnd.com