Rhode Island Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Rhode Island fell 0.0 percentage points in January 2019 to 4.0%. The state unemployment rate was 0.0 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 7.3 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.9% in July 2018, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.1 percentage points. You can also see Rhode Island unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	January 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	4.0%	+0.1	-0.1
Rhode Island	4.0%	0.0	-0.4

Note: All comparisons are made with January data as February 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 41,825 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 21,758 in August 2018, the number of unemployed has now grown by 494. Rhode Island job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	January 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
Rhode Island	22,252	+71	-2,044

Number of Unemployed Persons

Rhode Island Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Rhode Island Unemployment Rate	Rhode Island Unemployed
February 2019	3.8%	—	—
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
August 2018	3.8%	3.9%	21,758
July 2018	3.9%	3.9%	21,791
June 2018	4.0%	4.0%	22,032
May 2018	3.8%	4.0%	22,447
April 2018	3.9%	4.1%	22,948
March 2018	4.0%	4.2%	23,472