(INDIANAPOLIS) – Indiana's unemployment rate went down from January to February.

According to information released by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, the State's unemployment went from 2.4 percent in January to 2.3 percent in February. This continues a favorable streak that began in May 2020, where the unemployment rate in each month has either fallen or remained stable.

In addition, Indiana’s labor force participation rate rose from 61.9 percent in January to 62.1 percent in February, falling just below the national rate of 62.3 percent. Indiana’s total labor force, which includes both Hoosiers employed and those seeking employment, stands at 3,315,890.

Workforce Development Commissioner Fred Payne says unemployment fell again while private employment and labor force participation numbers both increased, which is a winning combination.

Private sector employment in Indiana increased by 10,800 jobs over the last month, resulting in a gain of 101,500 jobs from this time last year. Total private employment now stands at 2,743,800, a new preliminary peak for the state. The monthly increase in jobs primarily can be attributed to increases in Professional & Business Services (+5,400); Trade, Transportation & Utilities (+2,900); Financial Activities (+1,500) and Construction (+1,200).

Currently, there are 152,390 open job postings throughout the state. The number of people in Indiana that received unemployment benefits during February was 22,901.

The national unemployment rate, by comparison, decreased to 3.8 percent in February from 4 percent in January.