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Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Florida's Number of Employed Floridians Now Exceeds 10 Million with a Low Unemployment Rate of 3.3 Percent
Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the number of employed Floridians has increased to more than 10 million in July 2019. Over the year, 128,000 people entered the labor force at an annual growth rate of 1.3 percent. Florida’s residents are benefiting from a strong economy, businesses are expanding and Floridians are confident about entering the workforce.
Positive economic indicators for the month of July include:
- A low unemployment rate of 3.3 percent.
- Florida’s annual private-sector job growth rate of 2.8 percent continues to outpace the national job growth rate of 1.7 percent.
- Florida’s private-sector businesses created more than 218,000 jobs over the year and 28,200 in July 2019.
“I am proud of our work to ensure Florida remains a state where businesses are encouraged to grow and create jobs,” said Governor DeSantis. “We are continuing to prioritize policies that promote economic growth, including lowering taxes, smart investments in the environment and working to make Florida the best state in the nation for workforce education.”
“Governor DeSantis is leading the way – making the smart strategic investments across the state that are strengthening Florida’s economy in a real and sustainable way,” said Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Ken Lawson. “These employment numbers show that people believe they have the opportunity to live well and thrive in Florida.”
Other positive economic indicators include:
- Private-sector industries gaining the most jobs over-the-year were:
- Education and health services with 65,900 new jobs;
- Professional and business services with 41,900 new jobs;
- Leisure and hospitality with 25,900 new jobs;
- Trade, transportation and utilities with 23,000 new jobs;
- Construction with 21,300 new jobs; and
- Financial activities with 18,200 new jobs.
- Florida job postings showed 285,133 openings in July 2019
In addition to Florida’s positive jobs numbers, Florida has maintained its strong credit rating. Last month, in its report reaffirming Florida’s ‘AAA’ credit rating, S&P Global Ratings emphasized the Governor’s work and focus on the environment, including the Governor’s plan to appoint the state’s first Chief Resilience Officer and goal to secure $2.5 billion over four years for Everglades restoration and protection of the state’s water resources.
