Mass. unemployment rate fell slightly in December
The Massachusetts unemployment rate was down one-tenth of a percentage point in December at 2.8%, according to the state’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development on Friday.
The state's labor force participation rate, the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks, increased one-tenth of a percentage point to 67.8%.
December's unemployment rate was seven-tenths of a percentage point lower than the national rate of 3.5% reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The labor force increased by 6,700 from 3,849,700 in November, as 7,800 more residents were employed and 1,000 fewer residents were unemployed over the month.
Compared to December 2018, the labor force participation rate remained unchanged.
The largest private sector percentage job gains over the year were in education and health services, information, leisure and hospitality, and financial activities.
Still, the Bureau of Labor Statistics' preliminary job estimates indicate Massachusetts lost 5,000 jobs in December.
Over the month, the private sector lost 4,500 jobs as losses occurred in professional, scientific and business services; manufacturing; financial activities; education, health, and other services. Gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, trade, transportation, and utilities while the jobs level in information and construction sectors remained unchanged over the month.
From December 2018 to December 2019, BLS estimates Massachusetts added 44,800 jobs.
Over the year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped three-tenths of a percentage point.
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