Numbers Show Dull Economic Growth for Philadelphia and Pennsylvania in General

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As of April 2007, the number of the seasonally adjusted labor force of Pennsylvania state (or in layman’s terms, the number of people employed or seeking employment) dropped to the 6,255,000 level for a decrease of 2,000 laborers. Resident employment fell by 22,000 people as of that date as unemployment soared by 20,000 people for the month. There were 41,000 less residents of the state who were employed (as unemployment decreased by 36,000) from April 2006.

For Philadelphia alone, total employment for all occupations is projected to rise by just 8.3% (from 2,014,500 in 2004 to 2,182,680 by 2014.) This growth pattern is believed to result in average annual job openings of 16,818 at the end of the same timeframe.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the state climbed by 3/10 of a percentage point to 4.1% between March and April 2007. In April 2006, the rate stood at 4.7%.

The seasonally adjusted total non-farm jobs decreased by 2,100 positions as of April 2007, after posting job gains for nine straight months. However, this would only be the 2 nd time over a 16-month period that the seasonally adjusted job count decreased. The decrease was most felt in the fields of Construction, and Leisure and Hospitality, which both contributed to a total decrease of 5,700 jobs for the month of April. On the other hand, 3,000 new positions were added to Education and Health Services for the same time period.

Starting April 2006, the state has seen jobs increase by 46,900 positions.

Based on statistics provided by the state government, Pennsylvania is expected to have a total of 6,447,900 workers over all occupations by year 2014. This reflects a percentage increase of 6.4% from the estimated number of 6,059,880 workers in 2004. Business and Financial Operations Occupations will be staffed by 235,140 workers by year 2014, displaying a hike of 10.3% from the 213,110-worker level. Computer & Mathematical Operations should also increase its laborforce to 132,390 people by 2014 for a percentage gain of 20.8% (reflecting an increase from 109,550 in 2004.) Mathematical Scientists will also gain by that year by 9.0% from 3,440 as of 2004 to 3,750 by 2014. Architecture and Engineering Occupations will be manned by 93,270 workers in year 2014, for an increase of 3.5% from the 90,140-employee level of 2004. Engineers in 2014 will number 52,160 statewide, 5.9% higher than the 49,260 of 2004. Drafters, Engineering & Mapping Technicians are expected to post a slow growth of just 0.3% (to reach the 34,510 mark in 2014 for an increase of just 100 jobs from year 2004.) Life, Physical & Social Science Occupations are projected to have modest gains of 9.9% by 2014 (a hike from 51,560 people to 56,640.)

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Article Custom Written/compiled for Job Service Help by Mabelle Sese of The Filipino Worker Company. Updated June, 18, 2007