Analysts say report shows Ohio job market weakening

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(The Center Square) – After delays in reporting from the federal government, Ohio’s job market continues to weaken.

September unemployment numbers, delayed due to the recent federal government shutdown, showed an improvement from 5% to 4.8%, but the state lost 2,000 jobs, and more people left the job market.

At the same time, the national unemployment rate continued to climb.

Figures from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services also showed Ohio’s labor force participation rate dropped to 62.4%, even with the national average.

The numbers, along with the delay from the federal government, have analysts guessing about the state of the labor market.

“With September’s jobs report coming out three months late, October’s report canceled due to the federal government shutdown, and November’s report delayed into the new year, it is difficult to know the state of Ohio’s current job market,” said Rea S. Hederman Jr., executive director of the Economic Research Center and vice president of policy at The Buckeye Institute. “However, this report did confirm that Ohio’s job market was weakening in the fall.”

Others, though, see a decline of 1,400 jobs in leisure and hospitality as a sign that Ohioans continue to struggle with rising prices.

“With the delays in the jobs report releases – and the cancellation of October’s report – it’s virtually impossible to have a comprehensive understanding of evolving economic conditions, preventing policymakers from making informed decisions,” said Molly Bryden, researcher with Policy Matters Ohio. “Shrinking demand for accommodation and food services and corresponding job losses, along with rising inflation, could indicate a growing affordability crisis.”

The national job report for November showed job growth slowed from earlier this year, falling to 64,000 in the month from nearly 120,000 in September. There was no October report due to the shutdown.

The nation’s unemployment rate rose to 4.6%, up from 4.4% in September.