(C) Wisconsin Watch

(C) Wisconsin Watch
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As of February 2023, is the unemployment rate currently the lowest it has ever been in Wisconsin? [1]

['Jacob Alabab-Moser', 'Wisconsin Watch', 'More Jacob Alabab-Moser', 'Fact Checker']

Date: 2023-02-10 16:22:45+00:00

Reading Time: < 1 minute

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No.

Wisconsin’s unemployment rate has gradually increased to 3.2% in December 2022 — the latest data figure — from a historic low of 2.8% in March and April of that year. The only other years since 1976 when the unemployment rate approximated 2.8% were January-March 2018 and March 2020, when it sank to 2.9%.

Wisconsin’s unemployment rate was lower than the national unemployment rate throughout 2022. Wisconsin also saw a historic high for the number of people employed at 3,059,272 in May 2022.

While low unemployment rates were a measure of the state’s economic strength, they also may have indicated the struggle of employers in Wisconsin to hire employees.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics sets the unemployment rate by extensive, regular surveys, calculating the number of unemployed people — people who are actively searching for work, excluding those who are inactive, such as retirees or stay-at-home parents— as a percentage of the labor force.

This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Wisconsin unemployment rate through December 2022

State of Wisconsin: BLS Data: Wisconsin sets record for total number of people employed

US Bureau of Labor Statistics: The employment situation — January 2023

State of Wisconsin: BLS Data: Wisconsin’s unemployment rate in April ties record low 2.8%

PBS Wisconsin: Wisconsin’s record low unemployment

The Badger Herald: Recent reports indicate economic strength in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Public Radio: Unemployment in Wisconsin is at a historic low, labor force is growing

US Bureau of Labor Statistics: How the government measures unemployment

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If we send you a request to change or remove Wisconsin Watch content from your site, you must agree to do so immediately. You are welcome to republish our articles forusing the following ground rules. For questions regarding republishing rules please contact Andy Hall, executive director, at [email protected] As of February 2023, is the unemployment rate currently the lowest it has ever been in Wisconsin? <h1>As of February 2023, is the unemployment rate currently the lowest it has ever been in Wisconsin?</h1> by Jacob Alabab-Moser / Wisconsin Watch, Wisconsin Watch February 10, 2023 <h2>No.</h2> Wisconsin's unemployment rate has gradually increased to 3.2% in December 2022 — the latest data figure — from a historic low of 2.8% in March and April of that year. The only other years since 1976 when the unemployment rate approximated 2.8% were January-March 2018 and March 2020, when it sank to 2.9%. Wisconsin's unemployment rate was lower than the national unemployment rate throughout 2022. Wisconsin also saw a historic high for the number of people employed at 3,059,272 in May 2022. While low unemployment rates were a measure of the state's economic strength, they also may have indicated the struggle of employers in Wisconsin to hire employees. The Bureau of Labor Statistics sets the unemployment rate by extensive, regular surveys, calculating the number of unemployed people — people who are actively searching for work, excluding those who are inactive, such as retirees or stay-at-home parents— as a percentage of the labor force. This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as <a href="https://twitter.com/strujillo075/status/1622283607430819840" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this one.</a> Sources US Bureau of Labor Statistics: <a href="https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LASST550000000000003?amp%253bdata_tool=XGtable&output_view=data&include_graphs=true" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wisconsin unemployment rate through December 2022</a> State of Wisconsin: <a href="https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/press/2022/220616-may-state.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BLS Data: Wisconsin sets record for total number of people employed</a> US Bureau of Labor Statistics: <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The employment situation — January 2023</a> State of Wisconsin: <a href="https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/press/2022/220519-april-state.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BLS Data: Wisconsin's unemployment rate in April ties record low 2.8%</a> PBS Wisconsin: <a href="https://pbswisconsin.org/news-item/fast-facts-wisconsins-record-low-unemployment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wisconsin's record low unemployment</a> The Badger Herald: <a href="https://badgerherald.com/news/2023/02/07/recent-reports-indicate-economic-strength-in-wisconsin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Recent reports indicate economic strength in Wisconsin</a> Wisconsin Public Radio: <a href="https://www.wpr.org/unemployment-wisconsin-historic-low-labor-force-growing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Unemployment in Wisconsin is at a historic low, labor force is growing</a> US Bureau of Labor Statistics: <a href="https://www.bls.gov/cps/cps_htgm.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How the government measures unemployment</a> This <a target="_blank" href="https://wisconsinwatch.org/2023/02/as-of-february-2023-is-the-unemployment-rate-currently-the-lowest-it-has-ever-been-in-wisconsin/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://wisconsinwatch.org">Wisconsin Watch</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://i0.wp.com/wisconsinwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-WCIJ_IconOnly_FullColor_RGB-1.png?fit=150%2C150&quality=100&ssl=1" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;"><img id="republication-tracker-tool-source" src="https://wisconsinwatch.org/?republication-pixel=true&post=1276677&ga=UA-17896820-1" style="width:1px;height:1px;">

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