The San Diego Monthly Employment Report (June to July 2014) shows increases in the civilian labor force as well as in civilian unemployment and civilian employment. Highlights from the report include:
- San Diego’s unemployment rate rose 0.5 percent, from 6.1 percent in June to 6.6 percent in July
- Civilian labor force increased by 14,800
- Civilian employment increased by 5,600
- Nonfarm jobs declined by 5,900
- The industry with the largest month-over employment loss was Government with a loss of 12,700 jobs
San Diego’s July unemployment rate was at 6.6 percent, down from 8.0 percent a year ago during the same time period, and up from 5.1 percent 10 years ago. While San Diego’s unemployment rate is well under what it was in the Great Recession, it still has not recovered to pre-recession levels.
The California Employment Development Department (EDD) reported a rise in San Diego’s unemployment rate from 6.1 percent in June 2014 to 6.6 percent in July 2014. This 0.5 percent increase is due to an increase of 14,800 people entering the civilian labor force. This indicates that more individuals are entering or returning to the labor force, thus increasing the number of people who are unemployed and increasing the unemployment rate. Civilian employment also increased by 5,600, but it was not enough to offset the large gain in the civilian labor force.
(Data not seasonally adjusted)
However, there were industries that experienced loss between June 2014 and July 2014. The industry with the greatest month-over loss was Government with 12,700 jobs lost. Financial Activities also decreased by 100 jobs.
Professional and Business Services continued to rise with an additional 2,800 jobs from June to July 2014. Leisure and Hospitality continued the summer hiring trend by adding 2,700 jobs to the region during this period.
Although the unemployment rate increased from June to July by half a percent, it is important to note that labor force and employment numbers increased as well. The large increase in labor force may be due to recent graduates entering the labor force or opportunities for seasonal, summer employment driven by activities such as Comic-Con. Despite the unemployment rate increase, the increase in labor force indicate that more people are actively seeking employment in San Diego.