Iowa’s unemployment rate dropped from April to May. According to Iowa Workforce Development, Iowa’s unemployment rate went from 11% in April with 188,000 people without work to 10% in May. One year ago, in May of 2019, the unemployment rate in the state was 2.7%.

IWD states that in May leisure and hospitality added 18,200 jobs, which helped ease some of the job loss seen in April due to COVID-19 restrictions. Also, the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector added 7,000 jobs, while accommodations and food services increased by 11,200 jobs. While these gains from April to May can be seen, these are still 38% lower than last year’s figures in these sectors. Iowa Workforce Development states more recovery is expected as the summer progresses.

In the month of May, unemployment insurance claims for Iowa reached 204,355 people for a total amount paid of $220,645,934.