Missouri unemployment rate rises to 9.7% as state loses another 305,100 jobs

Posted: May 22, 2020 / 10:04 AM CDT / Updated: May 22, 2020 / 10:17 AM CDT

In this photo illustration, a person files an application for unemployment benefits on April 16, 2020, in Arlington, Virginia. – The government reported Thursday that another 5.2 million US workers filed for unemployment benefits, taking the four-week total to 22 million, a staggering figure in a downturn that economists say presents the country with its most severe outlook since the Great Depression of the 1930s. (Photo by Olivier DOULIERY / AFP) (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)

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ST. LOUIS – Missouri’s unemployment rate rises as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact Missouri businesses and households.

The state Department of Economic Development announced Friday the unemployment rate increased to 9.7 percent over the month of April.

Missouri’s unemployment was 3.9 percent in March.

The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 292,690 in April 2020, up by 171,103 from March’s 109,616. April unemployment data reflects employment decreased by 305,100 jobs over the month, the largest one-month decrease since the current data series began in 1990.

Although the unemployment rate is up, Missouri’s unemployment rate was below the national rate, which was 14.7 percent in April 2020.

The agency expects the rapidly changing economic situation will likely continue to evolve. For more information click here