Utah unemployment rate rises to 7.2 percent

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show Utah’s unemployment rate rose from 7.1 percent to 7.2 percent from February to March.The Utah Department of Workforce Services also says the state has lost about 22,500 jobs over the past year, leaving total employment at just over 1.17 million. The department issued the March figures on Thursday.Although there was still an increase in unemployment, the Department of Workforce Services says a trend of moderating jobs losses and a slow rebound in the Utah economy is continuing.The department says about 97,500 Utahns were considered unemployed in March, compared to 88,600 in March 2009. Last March the unemployment rate was 6.4 percent.Utah’s unemployment rate for March remained well below the national figure of 9.7 percent.The last time Utah’s unemployment rate was 7.2 percent was early 1984.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!