Louisiana Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Louisiana fell 0.1 percentage points in December 2011 to 6.8%. The state unemployment rate was 1.7 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Louisiana peaked in May 2011 at 8.2% and is now 1.4 percentage points lower. You can also see Louisiana unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	8.5%	-0.2	-0.9
Louisiana	6.8%	-0.1	-0.9

Note: All comparisons are made with December data as January state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Louisiana, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Louisiana Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Louisiana peaked in May 2011 at 169,679. There are now 29,467 fewer people unemployed in the state. Louisiana job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
Louisiana	140,212	-405	-19,806

Number of Unemployed Persons

Louisiana Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Louisiana Unemployment Rate	Louisiana Unemployed
January 2012	8.3%	—	—
December 2011	8.5%	6.8%	140,212
November 2011	8.7%	6.9%	140,617
October 2011	8.9%	7.0%	142,315
September 2011	9.0%	6.9%	141,104
August 2011	9.1%	7.2%	146,610
July 2011	9.1%	7.6%	154,198
June 2011	9.1%	7.8%	160,335
May 2011	9.0%	8.2%	169,679
April 2011	9.0%	8.1%	167,837
March 2011	8.9%	8.1%	168,687
February 2011	9.0%	7.9%	164,850
January 2011	9.1%	7.8%	161,887