Rhode Island Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Rhode Island rose 0.1 percentage points in August 2021 to 5.8%. The state unemployment rate was 0.6 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Rhode Island peaked in April 2020 at 17.4% and is now 11.6 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 5.7% in July 2021, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.1 percentage points. You can also see Rhode Island unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	August 2021	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	5.2%	-0.2	-3.2
Rhode Island	5.8%	+0.1	-6.8

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

Unemployment Rate: Rhode Island, National

Rhode Island monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to August 2021

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Rhode Island Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Rhode Island peaked in April 2020 at 94,704. There are now 63,768 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 30,815 in July 2021, the number of unemployed has now grown by 121. Rhode Island job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	August 2021	Month/Month	Year/Year
Rhode Island	30,936	+121	-35,769

Number of Unemployed Persons