ADOL report finds labor force participation unchanged in January

A report from the Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL) has found that the labor force participation in January is unchanged at 57.4%. 

The report said that the percentage of prime-age workers (25-54) increased by one-tenth of a percentage point to 78.6% during January and that over the year, the number increased close to an entire percentage point from 77.7%.

“We are continuing to see those prime-age workers growing in our labor force,” said ADOL Secretary Fitzgerald Washington. “More than three out of every four prime-age workers are holding down a job. This growth will contribute to the overall health of Alabama’s economy.”

The unemployment rate is 2.9%, which is up from the December revised rate of 2.8% and the January 2023 rate of 2.4 %. The rate represents 66,591 unemployed persons. 

The number of employed people increased by 31,157 over the year to 2,261,270. The civilian labor force increased to 2,327,861. 

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Wage and salary employment increased over the year by 38,300 to 2,166,500, with gains seen in the government sector with more than 10,400, the private education and health services sector at more than 9,100, and the manufacturing sector at more than 5,500.

“We are continuing to see those prime-age workers growing in our labor force,” said Washington. “More than three out of every four prime-age workers are holding down a job. This growth will contribute to the overall health of Alabama’s economy.”

Counties with the highest unemployment rates were Wilcox County at 10.5%, Greene County at 7.3%, and Clarke County at 7.1%.

Selma remains among the highest in unemployment at 8.2%, a percentage that has grown in recent months.