Mississippi Sees 2026 Employment Stay Flat as Tariffs and Iran War Stall Hiring

1 articles · Updated · bignewsnetwork.com · Aug 4

Mississippi’s economy and employment are projected to remain flat through 2026, with hiring expected to stay unchanged into late 2026 and early 2027, according to a University Research Center report.
Inflation, the war in Iran and shifting U.S. trade policy are driving employer caution, with firms reluctant to add workers but also hesitant to cut existing staff.
High interest rates and tariffs have raised manufacturing costs and caused some job losses, while cuts in local, state and federal government payrolls have also weighed on employment.
Healthcare is expected to add jobs this year and next as demand rises with an aging population, and planned construction projects should provide some support to the state economy.
Personal incomes are forecast to rise from the end of this year into 2028, and the report says Mississippi still remains in better shape overall than before the 2020 pandemic.