(INDIANAPOLIS) – Indiana’s unemployment rate saw a slight increase from June to July.

Data released by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development shows that the State’s unemployment rate increased from 2.4 percent in June to 2.6 percent in July. It’s the second straight month Indiana saw their unemployment rate go up, after three straight months of no increase.

The Indiana State labor force participation rate rose from 63.1 percent to 63.3 percent from June to July. That’s due to private sector employment increasing by 2,900, which translates to a gain of 77,000 jobs from the same time frame in 2021. Indiana’s 63.3 percent labor force participation rate was higher than the National rate of 62.1 percent.

New job gains were seen in Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+4,500); Private Educational and Health Services (+2,500) and Financial Activities (+300).

Indiana’s unemployment rate for July was below the National rate, which was 3.5 percent, down from 3.6 percent in June.