Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida’s unemployment rate remained at a low 3.3 percent and was down 0.6 percentage point for 2018. In the past year, 241,000 private-sector jobs were created in Florida overall and 21,900 private-sector jobs were created in December. Florida’s annual job growth rate of 3.2 percent continues to outpace the nation’s job growth rate of 2.0 percent.

“Florida’s economic foundation has been well laid, but it is time to take it to the next level,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We need to expand and diversify Florida’s economy so that we can be more competitive with other states for the best jobs and opportunities for all Floridians.”

This year, Florida’s labor force continued to expand with 140,000 people entering the labor force at a growth rate of 1.4 percent.

Ken Lawson, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) said, “These numbers are more than just statistics, they reflect Floridians’ ability to get a good job and provide for their families. Florida’s economy is attracting jobs, businesses and investments. This is part of Governor DeSantis’ vision and DEO stands ready to keep our economic momentum moving forward.”

Other positive economic indicators include:

• Private-sector industries gaining the most jobs over-the-year were:

• Education and health services with 54,000 new jobs;
• Leisure and hospitality with 45,800 new jobs;
• Professional and business services with 39,300 new jobs;
• Construction with 34,900 new jobs;
• Trade, transportation and utilities with 21,500 new jobs; and
• Financial activities with 19,300 new jobs.

• Florida job postings showed 277,425 openings in December 2018.

• Consumer Sentiment Index is 98.1, up 3.1 points from November’s revised figure of 95.
     

To see the December 2018 jobs reports by region, please see below:

• Fort Lauderdale Area

• Jacksonville

• Miami

• Orlando

• Pensacola

• Southwest Florida

• Tampa Bay Area

• West Palm Beach Area

To view the December 2018 employment data visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.

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