DLT: Jobless rate 5.4% in February, unchanged from January

THE R.I. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND TRAINING said the unemployment rate was unchanged in February at 5.4 percent compared with January. However, the rate was 1 percentage point lower than it was in February 2015. / COURTESY R.I. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND TRAINING
THE R.I. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND TRAINING said the unemployment rate was unchanged in February at 5.4 percent compared with January. However, the rate was 1 percentage point lower than it was in February 2015. / COURTESY R.I. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND TRAINING

PROVIDENCE – After a prolonged, steady monthly decline, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate leveled off at 5.4 percent in February, unchanged from January, according to the latest report by the R.I. Department of Labor and Training.
Over the year, the unemployment rate dropped by 1 percentage point – the lowest unemployment rate since August of 2007, the DLT said Thursday.
The U.S. unemployment rate also was unchanged month to month at 4.9 percent; it had declined by six-tenths of a percentage point over the year.
At 552,100, Rhode Island’s labor force also remained unchanged from January to February, and was 3,000 less compared with a year ago.
But the number of unemployed Rhode Island residents increased by 100 to 29,700 compared with January – the first over-the month increase in unemployment since July of 2013. The number of unemployed dropped by 5,900 year over year.
All told, 15,262 individuals collected Unemployment Insurance benefits in February, a decline compared with 17,453 people a year ago, and accounting for 44.8 percent of the total number of unemployed.
The number of employed residents declined by 100 to 522,400 compared with January, but increased over the year by 2,900.
Year over year, estimated nonfarm payroll in the state increased by 7,400 jobs, to 488,200 in February – a gain from January of 300 jobs.
Also over the year, gains include:

  • 400 in retail trade and arts, entertainment and recreation;
  • 300 in health care and social assistance;
  • 100 in mining and logging; manufacturing; information; transportation and utilities; and other services;
  • 1,200 in accommodation and food services;
  • 3,200 in professional and business services
  • 2,400 in construction
  • 600 in financial activities.

Year over year, government dropped by 500 over the year, educational services declined by 300, and wholesale trade by 800.

No posts to display