Utah added more than 49,000 to the economy in April. that 3.4 percent growth is the highest in the nation.
Utah’s unemployment rate remained the same, however, at 3.1 percent, meaning more than 48,000 Utahns were out of work last month.
According to the Utah Department of Workforce Services, Utah’s job growth far outpaced the entire country, which saw a 1.6% employment increase. Utah’s unemployment rate is below the nation as a whole as well, which sits at 3.9%.
The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget hailed the state’s job growth in an email release.
“Utah’s monthly labor market indicators continue to impress. The state’s economic strength reflects not only an expansionary national economic climate, but also foundational state policy decisions designed to harness the power of market forces,” said Phil Dean, chief economist of the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget. “Maintaining a competitive tax and regulatory environment while focusing on efficiently providing key services, such as educating our workforce and maintaining infrastructure, will allow the private sector to continue to flourish for decades to come.”
Utah’s private sector job growth was 3.7% over the last year.
The nation’s economy is in the second-longest expansion on record.
