Connecticut’s unemployment rate jumped slightly in November, even though the state’s businesses added jobs.
According to the November jobs report published Thursday by the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL), the jobless rate in the state sits at 3.6%. That’s up 0.1% from 3.5% in October.
During the same period, employers added 500 jobs. So why did the unemployment rate increase? Connecticut’s workforce numbers – the number of working adults overall – also increased, adding a larger number of people seeking jobs than jobs available.
Even with that slight increase, Connecticut’s unemployment rate is 0.4% lower than this time last year and is below the national average.
“Connecticut’s economy remains strong and steady with balanced job growth across industries,” said CTDOL Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo. “We continue to see workforce expansion, which is good news for employers who are trying to recruit from a smaller post-pandemic labor pool. With more than 75,000 jobs posted in Connecticut, more workers coming off the sidelines creates opportunity for both employers and job seekers—and will keep our economy headed in the right direction.”
Education and Health services saw the largest job growth last month by sheer numbers, adding 1,000 jobs overall, while Leisure and Hospitality saw the largest percentage growth. Meanwhile, Professional and Business Services saw the largest losses, with 1,200 jobs disappearing. According to CTDOL, those losses are a result of “a number of factors including weather, improved technology, and fewer people in office buildings.”
While lower unemployment and increased workforce numbers are good news, business leaders are still worried about Connecticut’s overall growth.
“We have 1.3 job openings for every unemployed person, and while we continue to see encouraging trends, it’s clear that job growth is not keeping pace with the demands of our economy,” said Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) President and CEO Chris DiPentima in a statement. “In recent months, we have seen encouraging news about the housing market, population growth, and more college graduates staying in Connecticut to begin their careers. It’s critical that we capitalize on these tailwinds to kickstart additional growth and unlock Connecticut’s economic potential.”
DiPetima noted that while the workforce increased by 1,100 in November, it is still 13,600 lower than a year ago. CBIA is suggesting workforce development programs to help continue recent growth.
Was this article helpful?
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
