(The Center Square) — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday that the job growth in Florida continues to outpace the nation in 2024, particularly in the private sector, with more than 37,900 jobs added in January of this year, a 0.4% increase.
According to a news release from DeSantis’ office and data from the Florida Department of Commerce, currently, this increase is double the national rate of 0.2%, while Florida’s economic data indicates confidence among the Sunshine State’s workforce which also grew by 243,000 or 2.2% since January 2023. Nationally, the workforce only grew at a rate of 0.8% during the same time period.
“Florida has started off the year strong by growing jobs at twice the national average. Florida continuously outperforms the national economy with fiscal stewardship, growth-friendly policies, limited government spending, and one of the lowest tax burdens per capita in the nation.” DeSantis said in a news release.
A whooping 9,700 jobs were added in January in education and health services, taking the top spot among all major industries. Tourism added 9,400 jobs, while business and professional services added 7,500 jobs, and according to DeSantis, revised economic data from 2023 showed that the economy has passed original estimates.
DeSantis thanked the implementation of Florida’s E-Verify law for the growth within the tourism industry, which ensures that companies employ legal citizens.
Statewide unemployment remains lower than the national rate for 39 consecutive months, according to DeSantis, who pointed out that the national unemployment rate was 3.7% for January 2024, 0.6 percentage points higher than Florida.
According to the news release, data indicates that there are more than enough jobs for Floridians seeking work, with more than 405,000 jobs posted online in January.
DeSantis also added job reports by region, with Fort Lauderdale’s labor force increasing by 30,606, a growth of 2.9%. Approximately 16,500 jobs were added to the private sector, an increase of 2.2% over the year.
Jacksonville’s private sector employment increased by 1.6% or 11,400, while the city’s unemployment rate was 3.3% in January 2024, an increase of 0.4 percentage points over January 2023’s rate of 2.9%.
The Miami metro area gained the highest number of private sector jobs among all metro areas. Private sector jobs increased by 3.8% or 43,900, while the unemployment rate dropped by 0.5 percentage points to a rate of 1.4%.
