
PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island had the second-largest percentage point decline in its unemployment rate in the nation in October, dipping 3.5 percentage points, though its 7% rate was still among the highest in New England, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Friday
The state’s month-to-month decline was second only to Illinois, where unemployment declined 3.6 percentage points in that time.
Stay Ahead of Winter Respiratory Illnesses: Expert Advice from South County Health Express Care Providers
As winter progresses, so does the season of respiratory illnesses. Colds, the flu, RSV, and…
Learn More
The national unemployment rate for the month was 6.9%.
Read PBN’s full breakdown of Rhode Island’s October employment figures here.
Massachusetts had the highest unemployment rate in New England in October at 7.4%; Rhode Island was second.
Hawaii had the highest unemployment rate in the nation at that time at 14.3%. Nebraska had the lowest unemployment rate for the month at 3%.
All six New England states saw month-to-month declines in unemployment rate and varying rates of increase year over year. Notably, all states in the region saw a decline in their labor forces from one year prior.
New England unemployment rate changes in October:
- Massachusetts: 7.4%, a decline from 9.8% in September and an increase from 2.8% one year prior
- Rhode Island: 7%, a decline from 10.5% one month prior and an increase from 3.5% one year prior
- Connecticut: 6.1%, a decline from 7.7% in September and an increase from 3.8% one year prior
- Maine: 5.4%, a decline from 6.1% one month prior and an increase form 3% in October 2019
- New Hampshire: 4.2%, a decline from 5.8% one month prior and an increase from 2.6% in October 2019
- Vermont: 3.2%, a decline from 4.2% in September and an increase from 2.4% one year prior.