Iowa’s unemployment rate for July 2022 ticked down slightly to 2.5 percent, according to data released today (Thursday) by Iowa Workforce Development (IWD). The state’s overall labor participation rate held steady at 67.8 percent last month as only 43,300 Iowans claimed unemployment benefits, a 600-person drop from June. IWD Director Beth Townsend says, “July’s good news shows that, despite current national economic challenges, Iowa’s economy continues its positive direction. We are helping workers find new career pathways, and we remain laser-focused on reemployment so we can help every Iowan find the right job and every employer find a qualified workforce.” The July 2022 report shows the health care and social assistance sectors added the most jobs, adding 1,300 new workers. Growth in other sectors was somewhat muted, with construction losing 300 jobs and manufacturing adding only 500. The U.S. unemployment rate also dropped slightly to 3.5 percent in July. IWD will release county-by-county figures early next week.
