R.I. unemployment rate falls to 5.3% in November

THE R.I. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND TRAINING said November's jobless rate fell to 5.3 percent. / COURTESY R.I. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND TRAINING
THE R.I. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND TRAINING said November's jobless rate fell to 5.3 percent. / COURTESY R.I. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND TRAINING

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 5.3 percent in November, its third consecutive month-over-month decline and a two-tenths of a percentage point decline from the year prior.

The nationwide unemployment rate also fell, to 4.6 percent in November, a four-tenths of a percentage point drop from November 2015.

There were 29,200 unemployed residents in Rhode Island last month, a decline of 1,500 from October and 1,100 fewer than in November 2015. In addition, 7,772 individuals, or 30.4 percent of the total unemployed, collected unemployment insurance benefits last month, which represents 321 fewer claimants than November 2015.

Rhode Island-based jobs totaled 492,700 in November, an increase of 400 from the revised October estimate (492,300) and 5,500 more from November 2015. Over the past two months the state has gained 2,000 jobs and a total of 4,200 since January.

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Employed Rhode Island residents reached 526,300 in November, 300 fewer than October, but 4,000 higher than November 2015. The state’s labor force was measured at 555,500 individuals last month, which is 1,800 fewer than in October, yet 2,900 more from November 2015.

Rhode Island’s northern neighbor, Massachusetts, saw its fifth consecutive month of decline in its unemployment rate, which fell to 2.9 percent, according to a release by the state’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.
The most recent time the Bay State’s unemployment rate was 2.9 percent was January 2001.

In contrast, Connecticut’s unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in November, a 0.4 percent decline from October and a 0.7 percent decline year-to-date.
Rhode Island industries were impacted during November as follows:

  • Arts, entertainment and recreation reported 500 more jobs both month to month and over the year.
  • 300 jobs were added to educational services in November, representing a 500-job increase year to date.
  • Construction added 200 jobs over the month and is up 300 over the year.
  • Health care and social assistance saw 200 jobs added last month, which reflects a 100-job increase from November 2015.
  • The government sector increased by 200 jobs over the month and gained 500 jobs since November 2015.
  • The information sector added 100 jobs over the month, but lost 300 jobs since November 2015.
  • Professional and business services reported 100 more jobs over the month, and an increase of 2,300 jobs from November 2015.
  • Transportation and utilities had a 100-job gain over the month, yet is down 100 jobs since November 2015.
  • Financial activities lost 400 jobs last month and another 700 since November 2015.
  • The manufacturing sector dropped 300 jobs over the month and lost 600 jobs over the year.
  • Retail trade lost 300 jobs from October to November, but gained 700 jobs from November 2015
  • Other services lost 300 jobs over the month and 200 jobs from November 2015.
  • Accommodation and food services saw no jobs added or lost over the month, but gained 2,700 jobs from November 2015.
  • Mine and logging employment remained the same over the month and over the year.
  • Wholesale trade also remained the same over the month, but lost 200 jobs over the year.

Manufacturing workers earned $18.59 per hour in November, a 33-cent increase from October and a 78-cent increase from November 2015.

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