Despite a slight drop in Ohio’s unemployment rate in December 2011, data from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services suggests the rate reflects a shrinking labor force rather than job growth and expanded employment.
According to Policy Matters Ohio, 21,000 Ohioans left the labor force in December and the drop in the unemployment rate is likely a function of Ohioans dropping out of the labor market rather than job growth.
“While a falling unemployment rate is welcome news, we need sustained, major employment growth. Unfortunately, today’s data parallels November’s labor force decline and that is not good news for Ohio,” said Hannah Halbert, policy liaison with Policy Matters Ohio. “Investment in our economy has been too small, and recovery has been too slow. We see the consequences of austerity playing out in our labor force, and too many Ohioans becoming discouraged.”
