After being relatively stable since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio had its first major loss of jobs in December.
Per Jan. 22 figures from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the Buckeye State lost 11,500 jobs last month, from 5,253,200 in November to 5,241,700 in December. It is the first major loss of jobs in Ohio since April, when the beginning of the pandemic brought the economy to a halt.
In a sliver of brighter news, Ohio’s unemployment rate fell slightly, from 5.7% in November to 5.5% in December. The number of unemployed workers in the state was 315,000 last month, down from 328,000 in November, but the overall figure has increased since December 2019, adding 78,000 people without work.
The leisure and hospitality sector in Ohio suffered significant losses during the holiday season, losing 9,200 jobs in December and 125,000 over the last year.
The trade, transportation and utilities sector managed to gain 8,600 jobs in December, the most of any sector.
For more information about gains and losses, visit the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services website.
