Rhode Island Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Rhode Island fell 0.1 percentage points in July 2019 to 3.5%. The state unemployment rate was 0.2 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Rhode Island peaked in May 2010 at 11.3% and is now 7.8 percentage points lower. You can also see Rhode Island unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	July 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.7%	0.0	-0.2
Rhode Island	3.5%	-0.1	-0.4

Note: All comparisons are made with July data as August 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 June 2010 at 64,077. There are now 44,511 fewer people unemployed in the state. Rhode Island job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	July 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
Rhode Island	19,566	-221	-2,225

Number of Unemployed Persons

Rhode Island Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Rhode Island Unemployment Rate	Rhode Island Unemployed
August 2019	3.7%	—	—
July 2019	3.7%	3.5%	19,566
June 2019	3.7%	3.6%	19,787
May 2019	3.6%	3.6%	20,088
April 2019	3.6%	3.7%	20,430
March 2019	3.8%	3.8%	21,180
February 2019	3.8%	3.9%	21,901
January 2019	4.0%	4.0%	22,252
December 2018	3.9%	4.0%	22,181
November 2018	3.7%	4.0%	22,163
October 2018	3.8%	4.0%	22,052
September 2018	3.7%	3.9%	21,880