The Connecticut Department of Labor (DOL) recently released jobs data from October and November 2025 showing a rise in unemployment from 3.8 percent to 4 percent between September and November. Reporting on the numbers of those months was delayed due to the recent federal government shutdown.
According to the report, jobs data from that period was mixed, falling by 700 jobs in October and adding 2,100 jobs in November. The jobs report from September was revised down by 6,800.
According to the DOL, November’s 4 percent unemployment rate is “still low by historic standards” and below the 4.6 percent national average.
The data shows that while private sector employment grew by 1,900 jobs, or 0.1 percent, between September and November 2025, jobs are down by 500 from November 2024. An estimate for private sector jobs in October showed jobs declining by 900. The data also lowered the previously reported number of job losses in September by 1,200, to a total of 6,900.
The Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) called the decline in private sector jobs concerning in a press release issued shortly after DOL’s report.
“While it’s encouraging to see the growth in November, the long-term trends highlighted by this report paint a concerning picture for Connecticut’s job growth outlook,” said CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima.
“Connecticut’s private sector job growth is essentially flat over the past 12 months. As state Department of Labor officials noted today, ‘we’re seeing indications in the private sector and across industries that growth is lagging behind last year.’ ” DiPimentima added.
Employment in government jobs grew slightly between September and November 2025, up 0.1 percent. Between November 2024 and November 2025, the number of jobs is up by 2,300, or 1 percent.
The report also showed the state’s labor force declined by 18,200 jobs between November 2024 and November 2025, a decrease of 0.9 percent. During the same period, the national labor force grew 1.9 percent.
“The situation is mixed. The November increase shows the Connecticut labor market remained resilient, job growth slowed during the latter part of 2025.” DOL Office of Research director Patrick Flaherty said in a statement in the report.
The report also notes that while the state’s labor force participation rate, at 64 percent, is higher than the national rate of 62.5 percent, the labor force has shrunk by 19,600 since January 2025.
“Federal immigration policies may impact these numbers. Connecticut employers rely on an immigrant workforce to offset retirements in Connecticut’s aging workforce and the state’s low birthrate; 23% of Connecticut workers are born outside of the U.S.” the report states.
The CBIA noted in its response to the report that since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Connecticut’s labor force has increased by 6,000.
“That’s just 0.3% above pre-pandemic levels compared to 4.4% growth nationally.” DiPimentima said.
When jobs reporting for December 2025 will be released is unclear, as the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics has not yet announced when that will occur.
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