Florida jobless rate rises to 3.6%, but South Florida still has lowest unemployment in state

In February, Florida's unemployment rate increased to 3.6%, marking the second consecutive month of rise from January's 3.5%. This increment brings the count of unemployed Floridians to approximately 398,000 out of a labor force consisting of over 11 million individuals. Although federal jobs decreased marginally, state officials, including Jimmy Heckman of the Department of Commerce, argue it’s premature to attribute this trend directly to federal policy changes. Notably, while some sectors like leisure and hospitality saw job losses, construction and manufacturing reported gains, showcasing varied economic dynamics.

Florida's unemployment rate increased to 3.6% in February, reflecting ongoing economic adjustments, yet state officials caution against prematurely linking this trend to federal job cuts.

The state’s jobless rate is still relatively low compared to historical levels, showing signs of resilience despite recent federal job reductions in certain sectors.

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