Rhode Island Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Rhode Island fell 0.1 percentage points in January 2020 to 3.4%. 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 7.9 percentage points lower. You can also see Rhode Island unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	January 2020	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.6%	+0.1	-0.4
Rhode Island	3.4%	-0.1	-0.3

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 45,158 fewer people unemployed in the state. Rhode Island job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	January 2020	Month/Month	Year/Year
Rhode Island	18,919	-411	-1,532

Number of Unemployed Persons

Rhode Island Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Rhode Island Unemployment Rate	Rhode Island Unemployed
February 2020	3.5%	—	—
January 2020	3.6%	3.4%	18,919
December 2019	3.5%	3.5%	19,330
November 2019	3.5%	3.5%	19,296
October 2019	3.6%	3.5%	19,313
September 2019	3.5%	3.5%	19,476
August 2019	3.7%	3.5%	19,701
July 2019	3.7%	3.6%	19,907
June 2019	3.7%	3.6%	20,026
May 2019	3.6%	3.6%	20,056
April 2019	3.6%	3.6%	20,064
March 2019	3.8%	3.6%	20,118