Rhode Island’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for April was 5.4 percent, reflecting a gain of 0.3 of a percentage point from March, the state Department of Labor and Training announced Friday. The number of unemployed Rhode Island residents increased by 1,800 over the month to 31,100 in April, while the number of employed residents grew by 2,000.
A year ago, the jobless level was 28,400 and the state’s unemployment rate stood at 5 percent. Nationally, the unemployment rate for April held steady at 4.7 percent. Compared to last year, the national jobless rate is down 0.4 of a percentage point. Rhode Island’s unemployment rate for April remained above the national average.
Jobs at Rhode Island businesses reached an all-time high as employment increased by 1,800 (+0.4 percent) last month, bringing the April job count to 495,000 (seasonally adjusted).
