LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas' unemployment rate ticked down slightly in August, reaching 3.9%, according to new figures from the Arkansas Department of Commerce and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The seasonally adjusted decline, down from 4% in July, comes as the state shows modest improvements in key employment indicators. The national unemployment rate held steady at 4.1% during the same period.
State data released Friday revealed that Arkansas’ civilian labor force increased by 192 workers last month. This included a gain of 1,972 employed individuals and a reduction of 1,780 in the ranks of unemployed residents actively seeking work. Over the past year, the state recorded 22,140 additional employed Arkansans compared to August 2025.
Nonfarm payrolls across the state also grew by 12,200 jobs in August. Officials attributed the increase largely to seasonal hiring, with the largest employment gains seen in government positions, private education, and health services.
The full report is available on the Arkansas Department of Commerce website.