Iowa saw a slight dip in its unemployment numbers for April, from 5.2 percent to 5.1 percent, according to figures released Friday by Iowa Workforce Development.

“The pace of job losses slowed in April, suggesting that the Iowa economy may be in the early stages of a turn,” said Elisabeth Buck, director of Iowa Workforce Development. “However, the labor market is still very weak, and any recovery is expected to be modest and prolonged.”

5.1 percent unemployment is still an increase from 4 percent a year ago, and nonfarm employment is at its lowest level since 2005, dropping another 1,600 jobs.

Nonfarm jobs have declined in seven of the last eight months, and were down 32,800 over 12 months, almost two-thirds of the decline coming in manufacturing.

“It may be a reflection of the difficult job picture we face that a drop of 1,600 jobs looks better than what we’ve seen,” said Mike Owen, assistant director of the nonpartisan Iowa Policy Project, which tracks Iowa job trends. “It presents a challenging picture for our state as new graduates accept their diplomas and chart their futures.”

By job sector, the nonfarm numbers showed the largest gains in trade, transportation and utilities and government. The largest drops were in construction, leisure and hospitality and financial activities.