(The Center Square) – The number of Ohioans out of work continues to grow despite consistent job growth over the past several months.
The latest numbers from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services show the state’s unemployment jumped to 4.8% in March from 4.7% in February, while 7,500 new jobs were added during the month. The national unemployment rate also continued to rise, finishing in March at 4.2%, up from 4.1% in February.
The rise in Ohio’s jobless rate continues an upward trend in 13 of the last 14 months, but March’s labor participation rate continued a six-month growth trend at its highest level since October at 62.6%.
That led some analysts to say the report is sending mixed signals.
“March’s trends reinforce last month’s concerns: It would be negligent to celebrate monthly job growth while working Ohioans face increasing employment barriers and economic pressures,” said Molly Bryden, researching with Policy Matters Ohio. “Ohio lawmakers should be feeling the pressure to reverse the persistent rise in unemployment, especially as the Trump administration continues to target the federal social service landscape for sweeping budget cuts and mass layoffs.”
The March report is the last without showing any potential impact of President Donald Trump’s on-and-off-again tariff policies and the possible ending of tax cuts enacted in Trump’s first term. Other analysts believe uncertainty will cause businesses to pull back in the coming months.
“The March jobs report is the last report before tariffs and the potential expiration of the Trump tax cuts – leading to uncertainty for businesses. During periods of uncertainty, businesses are less likely to expand, invest, or take on more risk,” said Rea S. Hederman Jr., executive director of the Economic Research Center and vice president of policy at The Buckeye Institute. “Despite the job growth Ohio has experienced over the past two months, policymakers need to adopt pro-growth policies that can help Ohio weather future uncertainty. Lawmakers can start doing that by guaranteeing reliable, affordable energy and keeping taxes low.”
