RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) – Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the unemployment and sustained workforce engagement numbers for Virginia.
According to BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS), unemployment rates remain at 2.9%, which is 1.2% below the national rate. The release also states that the labor force across the Commonwealth increased by over 3,000, now totaling 4,575,255, while job growth had a slight increase of 1,404 more employed residents.
“With more than $85 billion in capital commitments from companies in Virginia or moving to Virginia since we started, job opportunities continue to abound in the Commonwealth,” Youngkin said. “Virginia’s labor market remains strong, with continued growth in our labor force and a steadily low unemployment rate. As more people move to Virginia than away from the other 49 states for the first tie in a decade, fostering a business-friendly environment remains a key priority that attracts investment, drives job creation, and ensures that every Virginian has the opportunity to succeed.”
Bryan Slater, Secretary of Labor, said the increase in both the labor force and the number of employed Virginians is a positive sign for continued economic growth.
“Virginia’s workforce is engaged and growing, with more individuals actively seeking and securing employment,” Slater said. “The increase in both the labor force and the number of employed Virginians is a positive sign that we are creating the conditions for continued economic growth. Our focus remains on expanding workforce development opportunities to ensure Virginians are equipped with the skills needed for today’s economy.”
Information from the BLS’s Current Employment Statistics Survey (CES), which uses payroll records to provide an count of jobs, shows that the Commonwealth has added over 67,000 jobs during 2024.
A graph of the monthly rates for employment, labor force and unemployment indicators can be found below:
For more information Virginia’s labor market information, click here.
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