Send Arkansas' unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.4% from March and April, the state Division of Workforce Services said Friday. At the same time, the U.S. unemployment rate went from 6% in March to 6.1% in April. Arkansas' report said the state's civilian labor force increased by a net 1,984, including 2,779 more employed people. "Compared to April 2020 when COVID-related job losses peaked, the number of unemployed in Arkansas has declined 77,978," BLS Program Operations Manager Susan Price said in a news release. "Employment is up 68,488 and the unemployment rate is down significantly from the peak of 10.0 percent last April." Compared to April 2020, nonfarm payroll jobs in Arkansas are up by 94,600. Nine major industry sectors posted gains.