Missouri unemployment rate at 4.5 percent for March, expected to skyrocket in April

(From the Missouri Department of Economic Development)

Employment in Missouri decreased by 20,900 jobs over the month of March and 12-month employment growth was lower than the March 2019 figure.

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.5 percent, up by one percentage point from the February 2020 rate of 3.5 percent.

The full impact of COVID-19 is not reflected in the March labor market data but is expected to be reflected in the April 2020 jobs report.