Rhode Island Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Rhode Island rose 0.3 percentage points in December 2011 to 10.8%. The state unemployment rate was 2.3 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Rhode Island peaked in December 2009 at 11.8% and is now 1.0 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 10.4% in October 2011, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.4 percentage points. You can also see Rhode Island unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	8.5%	-0.2	-0.9
Rhode Island	10.8%	+0.3	-0.7

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

Unemployment Rate: Rhode Island, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Rhode Island Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Rhode Island peaked in March 2010 at 67,776. There are now 6,940 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 58,655 in October 2011, the number of unemployed has now grown by 2,181. Rhode Island job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
Rhode Island	60,836	+1,628	-5,355

Number of Unemployed Persons

Rhode Island Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Rhode Island Unemployment Rate	Rhode Island Unemployed
January 2012	8.3%	—	—
December 2011	8.5%	10.8%	60,836
November 2011	8.7%	10.5%	59,208
October 2011	8.9%	10.4%	58,655
September 2011	9.0%	10.5%	58,823
August 2011	9.1%	10.6%	59,645
July 2011	9.1%	10.8%	61,131
June 2011	9.1%	10.8%	61,313
May 2011	9.0%	10.9%	61,990
April 2011	9.0%	10.9%	62,074
March 2011	8.9%	11.0%	63,027
February 2011	9.0%	11.2%	64,068
January 2011	9.1%	11.3%	65,092