ST PAUL, Minn. — Editor's note: The above video originally aired on June 7, 2022.
New numbers reported by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) show Minnesota's unemployment rate has reached an all-time record low.
In May, unemployment dropped to 2%, down from 2.2% in May.
That's the lowest level recorded since the metric started getting measured in 1976.
The state gained 6,600 jobs in May, up 0.2% in the last month, according to DEED, and Minnesota has now added jobs for eight months in a row.
"Minnesota's on course to continue adding jobs – if employers can find workers to fill them. We're still down more than 75,000 people in our labor force since before the pandemic." DEED Commissioner Steve Grove said in a news release. "That's why we've launched our "Summer of Jobs" campaign to highlight the many opportunities in the job market, and to help employers find workers in labor pools they may have previously overlooked."
"Minnesota's economy is strong, and Minnesotans are working hard. I am proud to break another record with these historically low unemployment rates," said Governor Walz in a news release. "Minnesota is in a stable and secure position during this time of global uncertainty and high inflation rates across the country. We'll continue working to provide financial relief for Minnesotans and ensure our economy remains strong."
The U.S. unemployment rate stayed the same at 3.6% as the labor force participation rate ticked up a tenth of a point to 62.3%.
Nationally, 390,000 jobs were gained, up 0.3% from April to May. Meanwhile, the private sector added 333,000 jobs, also up 0.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to DEED.