PROVIDENCE – The unemployment rate in Rhode Island in August was the second-highest in New England but declined by a greater rate than any other state in the region year over year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Rhode Island’s unemployment remained at 4.3 for the second consecutive month in August, marking a decline of 1 percentage point year over year.
The national unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in August, a 0.5 percentage point drop from August 2016.
Employment in Rhode Island increased 1.9 percent, 9,300 jobs, year over year to 490,400 in August.
The second-largest percentage point drop in the New England region was recorded by Massachusetts, with a 0.8 percent year-over-year decline in August. Overall, the Bay State had a jobless rate of 4.2 percent in August.
New Hampshire reported the lowest unemployment rate in New England (2.7 percent). Vermont reported the second lowest rate at 3 percent, while Maine recorded 3.8 percent unemployment in August.
Connecticut ranked last in New England, with an unemployment rate of 4.8 percent, which represented a 0.1 percentage point decline from August 2016.
Alabama’s unemployment rate declined by the largest amount year over year, falling 1.7 percentage points. North Dakota reported the lowest unemployment rate in August at 2.3 percent. Alaska reported a 7.2 percent unemployment rate in August, the highest in the nation.
Other New England employment facts:
- New Hampshire employment increased 2.1 percent year over year, 14,300 jobs, to 684,600.
- Rhode Island’s labor force grew 0.7 percent year over year, to 556,415.
- Connecticut’s labor force grew 1.7 percent to 1.9 million
- Massachusetts employment increased 1.6 percent year over year, 57,400 jobs, to 3.6 million.
- Maine’s labor force grew 1.6 percent, 10,920, to 704,963
- Vermont was the only state in New England that reported a decline in the civilian labor force year over year in August, falling 0.3 percent, or 960 jobs, to 344,288.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
