Report: Ohio's job growth last year worst since recession
Lead Summary
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By Policy Matters Ohio
Revised jobs data released today confirmed that 2016 was the worst year for job growth in Ohio since the end of the recession in 2009.
In 2016, Ohio gained less than 50,000 jobs, making our job growth rate 0.9 percent for the year. The nation grew by 1.6 percent. Ohio's post-recession annual job growth rate peaked in 2014 at a mere 1.8 percent.
"Today's report confirms that 2016 was a weak year for Ohio jobs," said Hannah Halbert, workforce researcher with Policy Matters Ohio. "We have increased tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthiest Ohioans on the promise of job growth. But we continue to underperform the national average and we are slowing down."
January's numbers, unfortunately, offer no consolation. According to the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services (ODJFS), the state lost 2,100 jobs, with the biggest losses (-10,800) coming from the education and health care sectors.
Each March, ODJFS and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revise the earlier job count based on additional data. Today's numbers provide a more reliable picture of the job market last year.
"The new data underscore the need for additional investments in the health and education of people in this state. These investments improve people's lives and they have the potential to aid growth in communities that have been left out of the recovery," said Halbert.
The unemployment rate remained at 5 percent in January. The household survey, which generates the data for the unemployment rate, and uses different methodology from the jobs survey, showed that the number of Ohioans working or looking for work increased in January (+17,000), but shrank 0.3 percent over the 12-month period. By contrast, the national labor force grew by 0.9 percent. Ohio's labor force has shrunk by 270,000 since the official start of the 2007 recession.
"Seven of the 10 largest job categories in the state pay so little a family of three likely qualifies for food assistance," said Halbert. "We rank among the worst in terms of college affordability. Yet, our tax and budget policy works against solving these problems. We return revenue to the rich instead of promoting opportunity and security for working Ohioans. This policy should be reversed."
Revised jobs data released today confirmed that 2016 was the worst year for job growth in Ohio since the end of the recession in 2009.
In 2016, Ohio gained less than 50,000 jobs, making our job growth rate 0.9 percent for the year. The nation grew by 1.6 percent. Ohio's post-recession annual job growth rate peaked in 2014 at a mere 1.8 percent.
"Today's report confirms that 2016 was a weak year for Ohio jobs," said Hannah Halbert, workforce researcher with Policy Matters Ohio. "We have increased tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthiest Ohioans on the promise of job growth. But we continue to underperform the national average and we are slowing down."
January's numbers, unfortunately, offer no consolation. According to the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services (ODJFS), the state lost 2,100 jobs, with the biggest losses (-10,800) coming from the education and health care sectors.
Each March, ODJFS and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revise the earlier job count based on additional data. Today's numbers provide a more reliable picture of the job market last year.
"The new data underscore the need for additional investments in the health and education of people in this state. These investments improve people's lives and they have the potential to aid growth in communities that have been left out of the recovery," said Halbert.
The unemployment rate remained at 5 percent in January. The household survey, which generates the data for the unemployment rate, and uses different methodology from the jobs survey, showed that the number of Ohioans working or looking for work increased in January (+17,000), but shrank 0.3 percent over the 12-month period. By contrast, the national labor force grew by 0.9 percent. Ohio's labor force has shrunk by 270,000 since the official start of the 2007 recession.
"Seven of the 10 largest job categories in the state pay so little a family of three likely qualifies for food assistance," said Halbert. "We rank among the worst in terms of college affordability. Yet, our tax and budget policy works against solving these problems. We return revenue to the rich instead of promoting opportunity and security for working Ohioans. This policy should be reversed."