DLT: R.I. jobless rate falls in December to 5.1%

RHODE ISLAND'S unemployment rate fell to 5.1 percent in December, a 1.7 percentage point decline from the year-ago period. / COURTESY R.I. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND TRAINING
RHODE ISLAND'S unemployment rate fell to 5.1 percent in December, a 1.7 percentage point decline from the year-ago period. / COURTESY R.I. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND TRAINING

PROVIDENCE – The unemployment rate in Rhode Island hovered at 5.1 percent, one-tenth of a percentage point higher than the national average of 5 percent in December, having fallen from November’s rate of 5.2 percent, according to figures released by the state Department of Labor and Training on Thursday.
The decline was reflected in month-to-month reductions in the number of unemployed residents to 28,400, down from November’s figure of 28,800, and in the labor force, which declined by 800 to 554,900 compared with November.
Year over year, Rhode Island’s unemployment rate has declined from 6.8 percent to 5.1 percent, while the national average dropped from 5.6 percent to 5 percent in the same time frame, the DLT reported.
On a year over year basis, the number of employed residents grew by 14,900, but month-to-month declined to 526,500, down 400 from November.
Estimated nonfarm payroll in Rhode Island totaled 487,700 in December, a gain of 1,100 jobs compared with November’s revised estimate of 486,600 – the third consecutive month of job gains totaling 4,300 jobs overall, or an average of 1,400 jobs added per month, the DLT said. Over the course of 2015, 8,400 jobs were added to the local economy, the highest annual gain since 2000, when 9,500 jobs were added.
The largest growth over the past 12 months came in professional and business services, adding 4,200 jobs, followed by accommodation and food services, which added 1,900 jobs, and art, recreation and entertainment, which increased by 1,100 jobs.
Month over month, construction added 1,000 jobs in December, transportation and utilities added 400, and professional and business services added 500. Showing larger losses were accommodation and food services (-200), and educational services (-700).
Gov. Gina M. Raimondo released a statement regarding the unemployment rate.
“Rhode Island’s economy is on better footing than it was a year ago … But make no mistake: we have a lot more work to do. The Brookings report that came out this week highlights how important it is that we do even more to give Rhode Islanders 21st century skills, and to invest in growing advanced industries here. We have some momentum, but we have much more to do in order to put people back to work, jumpstart our economy and ensure that everyone can make it in Rhode Island,” Raimondo said.

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