INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s unemployment rate decreased 0.2 percent to 4.9 percent in June due mostly to a 2,200 worker increase in the labor force and a sizeable decrease in the number of unemployed Hoosiers. June marked the first month since February of 2008 the rate of unemployment in the Hoosier State has been below 5 percent, and was the third month in a row Indiana experienced significant declines in unemployment.

Indiana’s labor force participation rate of 63.3 percent in June continued to outpace the national average. The Hoosier labor force has grown by nearly 17,000 over the past year, and by 66,000 since January of 2013. Indiana’s labor force expansion has consistently ranked at the top of all Midwest states.

Gov. Mike Pence today, Tuesday, July 21, said June marks the third month in a row that Indiana experienced significant declines in unemployment, with the state seeing a 3.5 percent decrease in the unemployment rate since January of 2013, the second largest decrease in the nation. In addition, Indiana’s unemployment rate has decreased 5.9 percent since July of 2009, the low point of employment, the second largest decrease in the nation.

“Indiana’s economy is on the move thanks to hard-working Hoosiers and businesses both large and small. With each passing day, it becomes more apparent that Indiana is strong and growing stronger, and now, for the first time in more than seven years, Indiana’s unemployment rate is below five percent. Our administration is committed to implementing the kinds of pro-growth policies that allow businesses to succeed and families to thrive, and Hoosiers can be assured that we will not relent in these efforts in the months to come.”

Despite average monthly increases of roughly 4,000 jobs over the past two years, Indiana’s private sector contracted by 3,800 in June, led mainly by declines in the Trade, Transportation & Utilities (-3,600), and Private Educational & Health Services (-900) sectors. June private sector losses were partially offset by gains in the Manufacturing (+1,600), and Leisure and Hospitality (+1,300) sectors.

“Consistent sizable growth of our labor force and significant declines in the number of unemployed Hoosiers since January of 2013 culminated in the lowest unemployment rate in over seven years in June,” said Steven J. Braun, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. “During the same period, the number of private sector jobs has increased by more than 114,000 and our labor force has consistently participated at a rate above the national average.”

Braun also noted unemployment insurance claims continue to decline and are now at their lowest levels since 1999.

Sectors showing gains in June include: Manufacturing (1,600), Leisure and Hospitality (1,300), Construction (200), and Professional & Business Services (100). The Trade, Transportation & Utilities (-3,600), Private Educational & Health Services (-900), and Financial Activities (-600) sectors declined in June. Total nonfarm employment increased in June (7,700).