Kentucky workforce has rebounded from pandemic to its largest in state history, Gov. Beshear says

FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Gov. Andy Beshear said the Commonwealth’s labor force has hit a milestone, not only officially rebounding from the pandemic but now exceeding prior metrics recorded by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.   

“Meaning we have the most people employed, the most jobs filled, and the largest workforce in Kentucky’s history,” Beshear said at Thursday’s Team Kentucky briefing.

Beshear said from February of 2020 to March of 2025, records show over 32,000 people joined the workforce, and businesses reported almost triple that number in nonfarm jobs filled.

“The difference in jobs filled versus people working could be one of two things. Number one, people believe the jobs filled survey may be more accurate because of how the information is coming back. But the other is that some of these individuals can be filling two jobs in this current economy,” Beshear said.

Beshear said records show just over 2,006,555 people are employed in Kentucky as of March. Compared to Kentucky’s unemployment rate, which rose nearly an entire point to 5.2% to end 2024, the rosy figures could be a headscratcher.

Beshear explained the reason behind this is that the number of people looking for a job is outpacing the number finding them.

 “That’s why our unemployment rate has ticked up a little bit. Every month we’ve had more people working, but we’ve had more people coming back into the labor force looking for a job,” he said. Research by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce in February found the same explanation. Beshear argued it’s a good thing that will help market the state to new businesses by showing there’s an available workforce.