Rhode Island Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Rhode Island fell 0.1 percentage points in August 2018 to 4.0%. The state unemployment rate was 0.1 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Rhode Island peaked in May 2010 at 11.3% and is now 7.3 percentage points lower. You can also see Rhode Island unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	August 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.9%	0.0	-0.5
Rhode Island	4.0%	-0.1	-0.4

Note: All comparisons are made with August data as September 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 41,528 fewer people unemployed in the state. Rhode Island job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	August 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
Rhode Island	22,549	-766	-2,070

Number of Unemployed Persons

Rhode Island Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Rhode Island Unemployment Rate	Rhode Island Unemployed
September 2018	3.7%	—	—
August 2018	3.9%	4.0%	22,549
July 2018	3.9%	4.1%	23,315
June 2018	4.0%	4.3%	24,018
May 2018	3.8%	4.4%	24,777
April 2018	3.9%	4.5%	25,156
March 2018	4.1%	4.5%	25,295
February 2018	4.1%	4.6%	25,365
January 2018	4.1%	4.5%	25,159
December 2017	4.1%	4.5%	25,118
November 2017	4.1%	4.5%	25,133
October 2017	4.1%	4.5%	25,071