Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged over the month, remaining at 5.0 percent during February, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Employment fell by 9,000 over the month, while the number of unemployed people decreased by 1,000. Michigan’s labor force declined by 9,000 during February.
“Michigan’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.0 percent in February as the size of the state’s labor force continued to shrink,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for Michigan’s Center for Data and Analytics. “Payroll jobs decreased slightly over the month and over the year.”
The U.S. unemployment rate inched up by one-tenth of a percentage point over the month to 4.4 percent. Michigan’s February unemployment rate was 0.6 percentage points above the U.S. rate. Over the year, the national unemployment rate rose by 0.2 percentage points, while Michigan’s rate decreased by 0.3 percentage points since February 2025.
Labor force trends and highlights
Michigan’s unemployment rate remained constant at 5.0 percent for the fourth consecutive month.
The total number of unemployed in the state decreased by 0.4 percent over the month, while the national unemployment total advanced by 2.8 percent during February.
The statewide labor force receded by 1.7 percent since February 2025, while the U.S. workforce was unchanged over the year.
Michigan’s labor force participation rate decreased by one-tenth of a percentage point to 60.5 percent during February. Michigan’s employment-population ratio fell by two-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 57.4 percent.
