WASHINGTON – The New England unemployment rate rose to 4.7 percent in May from 4.4 percent the previous month and 4.5 percent in May 2006, after seasonal adjustment, according to a report issued today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The resident civilian labor force in New England grew to 7.694 million, an increase of 0.5 percent from the previous month and 1.0 percent from May 2006.
For the entire Northeast, the jobless rate was 4.4 percent, an increase from April’s 4.2 percent but a decrease from 4.7 percent rate in May 2006.
The national unemployment rate in May was 4.5 percent. Compared with April, unemployment rose in 26 states, was unchanged in nine and fell in 15 states and the District of Columbia, the BLS said. Compared with May 2006, jobless rates declined in 28 states and the District of Columbia, were unchanged in four states and rose in 18.
In Rhode Island, the jobless rate was 4.8 percent, an increase from April’s 4.5 percent but a 0.5-percentage point decrease from the 5.2-percent rate of May 2006. Meanwhile, the state’s resident labor force grew to 579,400, an increase of 0.6 percent over the past month and 0.2 percent over the past year.
In Massachusetts, the unemployment rate rose to 5.1 percent in May from 4.6 percent the previous month and 4.9 percent in May 2006. The resident labor force expanded to 3.419 million, growing 0.6 percent for the month and the year.
Non-farm payroll employment (regardless of residence) increased over the month in 38 states, and decreased in the other 12 states and the District of Columbia, the BLS said. Compared with May 2006, payrolls increased in 47 states and the District of Columbia and decreased in the other three states.
Payroll employment in Rhode Island edged up in May to 498,300 jobs, compared with 498,100 in April and 492,200 in May 2006. Construction grew to 24,200 jobs, an increase of 1.3 percent over the month and 6.1 percent over the past year, while manufacturing shrank to 50,800 jobs, a decrease of 1.4 percent from April and 4.3 percent from May 2006.
In Massachusetts, payroll employment was 3.272 million, a slight increase from April’s 3.271 million but a 1.0-percent decrease from May 2006’s 3.238 million. Construction employment totaled 139,100 jobs in May, 0.4 percent more than in April but 1.6 percent fewer than in May 2006, while manufacturing employment shrank to 297,700, 200 jobs fewer than in April and 1,700 jobs or 0.6 percent fewer than in May 2006.
Additional information, including the 19-page Regional and State Employment and Unemployment report, is available from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics at www.bls.gov.
