LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas' unemployment was unchanged in December, remaining at 7.9 percent and well below the national average of 9.4 percent.
The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services says six major sectors posted job losses in December and offset the job gains in four sectors. Leisure and hospitality jobs dropped by 2,200, which was mostly attributed to a decline in seasonal work. Trade, transportation and utilities lost 1,300 jobs in December.
The agency says professional and business services gained 1,400 jobs.
For the year, nonfarm employment increased by 12,300 since December 2009. Overall, educational and health services saw the greatest gain in jobs in 2010 with an increase of 7,300. Government-sector jobs saw the greatest decrease, losing 5,000. The agency says most of those were temporary positions funded by the stimulus package.