ADOL reports labor force participation 'slightly' down, employment up in July

A report from the Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL) showed that the labor force participation decreased "slightly" from 58.0% to 57.9% in July, though the employment experienced an increase. 

The percentage of prime-age workers (25-54 years) decreased by one-tenth of a percentage point to 78.4%.

“Our unemployment rate continues to remain low and is well below the national unemployment rate,” said ADOL Secretary Greg Reed. “We are continuing to see yearly gains in our labor force participation rate, and our economy added more than 28,000 new jobs. These are all signs of continued positive economic news in Alabama.”

The preliminary, seasonally adjusted July unemployment rate was reported at 3.0%, which is down from June. It represents 72,506 unemployed persons, compared to 75,640 in March and 71,308 in April of 2024.

The number of people counted as employed reportedly increased by 33,876 over the year to 2,311,434 while the civilian labor force increased to 2,383,940, with 35,074 more people joining over the year.

Wage and salary employment increased over the year by 28,700 to 2,211,200, with gains seen in the private education and health services sector at more than 10,100, the leisure and hospitality sector at more than 4,600, and the government sector at more than 5,100.

Counties with the highest unemployment rates are Perry County at 6.9%, Greene County at 5.8%, and Wilcox County at 5.6%.

Selma remains among the highest at 4.8% though this is down from 4.9%.