Texas unemployment rate tumbles to 4.4 percent in January

The rate of unemployment declined in Texas for the fifth consecutive month, triggering fresh hopes of a healthy economic revival among the residents.

The latest report, released by the Texas Workforce Commission, showed the jobs market improvement in Texas in the month of January.

In the report, the fresh data indicated the rate of unemployment in the state tumbled during January to 4.4 percent from 4.6 percent in December last year.

The non-farm jobs were higher by 20,100 in Texas on a seasonally adjusted basis. The employers added 392,900 extra jobs in Texas within a year.

Hope Andrade, one of the members of Texas Workforce Commission, said, “The latest labor market data clearly indicates that the state is nearing the 12 million jobs milestone, with 11,769,600 jobs now in Texas.”

Seeing the dropping unemployment rate in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott urged businesses to contribute jointly in enhancing the working environment in the state for competing on a global scale. According to Governor Abbott, the positive data is a strong indication of the strengthening of the state economy.

“By diversifying investments, streamlining regulations and reducing the business franchise tax, we will cultivate an even stronger, more effective economy where all Texans are afforded the opportunity to innovate and to prosper,” Governor Abbot said.

The Midland area reported the lowest unemployment rate of 2.6 percent. The highest unemployment was recorded at 8.3 percent in McAllen-Edinburg-Mission region.