New Hampshire unemployment rate is dropping .. still!

By EILEEN KENNEDY, Telegraph Staff

Published: Friday, Dec. 10, 2004

CONCORD - The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continued its downward trend for the fifth month in row, dropping 0.3 percentage points to 3.1 percent in November, according to the state’s Department of Employment Security.

Since January, the rate has dropped a full percentage point.

“The trend is looking good, it’s looking real good,” said Anita Josten, a department research analyst. “For a while there, it was a kind of stalemate, but now it is starting to move and we’re starting to see some real economic growth.”

Josten also said it is probably due in part to additional seasonal hires for the Christmas shopping season.

The numbers show that there are 707,270 employed residents, which is an increase of 1,280 from the previous month and an increase of 12,530 from November 2003.

The number of people unemployed in November went down by 1,710 people, bringing it to 22,940, and it was 7,360 fewer unemployed people compared to November 2003.

From October to November, the total labor force - those available to work, both employed and unemployed - decreased by 430 to 730,210, but it was still an increase of 4,990 people from November 2003. Josten said the decrease in the total labor force from October to November could be due to college students leaving work to go back to school.

The state’s rate compares very favorably with the nation’s unemployment rate of 5.4 percent.

In January and February, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, then it dropped to 4 percent from March through May. The rate was 3.9 percent in June and July, 3.7 percent in August, 3.5 percent in September and 3.4 percent in October.

“Looking overall, the recovery of the economy is working and things are getting better,” Josten said.

Eileen Kennedy can be reached at 594-6499 or .


	By EILEEN KENNEDY, Telegraph Staff Published: Friday, Dec. 10, 2004 CONCORD - The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continued its downward trend for the fifth month in row, dropping 0.3 percentage points to 3.1 percent in November, according to the state’s Department of Employment Security. Since January, the rate has dropped a full percentage point. “The trend is looking good, it’s looking real good,” said Anita Josten, a department research analyst. “For a while there, it was a kind of stalemate, but now it is starting to move and we’re starting to see some real economic growth.” Josten also said it is probably due in part to additional seasonal hires for the Christmas shopping season. The numbers show that there are 707,270 employed residents, which is an increase of 1,280 from the previous month and an increase of 12,530 from November 2003. The number of people unemployed in November went down by 1,710 people, bringing it to 22,940, and it was 7,360 fewer unemployed people compared to November 2003. From October to November, the total labor force - those available to work, both employed and unemployed - decreased by 430 to 730,210, but it was still an increase of 4,990 people from November 2003. Josten said the decrease in the total labor force from October to November could be due to college students leaving work to go back to school. The state’s rate compares very favorably with the nation’s unemployment rate of 5.4 percent. In January and February, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, then it dropped to 4 percent from March through May. The rate was 3.9 percent in June and July, 3.7 percent in August, 3.5 percent in September and 3.4 percent in October. “Looking overall, the recovery of the economy is working and things are getting better,” Josten said. This story was originally published in the The Telegraph of Nashua, N.H., all rights reserved, nashuatelegraph.com. Eileen Kennedy can be reached at 594-6499 or .