Employment Situation Improves for November

 

Left, nonfarm payroll employment over-the-month change, seasonally adjusted, November 2007 to November 2009. Right, unemployment rate, seasonally adjusted, November 2007 to November 2009.
Courtesy of Bureau of Labor Statistics

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The unemployment rate edged down to 10.0 percent in November, and nonfarm payroll employment was essentially unchanged (-11,000). In the prior three months, payroll job losses had averaged 135,000 a month. In November, employment fell in construction, manufacturing and information, while temporary help services and health care added jobs.

In November, both the number of unemployed persons, at 15.4 million, and the unemployment rate, edged down. At the start of the recession in December 2007, the number of unemployed persons was 7.5 million, and the jobless rate was 4.9 percent.

The civilian labor force participation rate was little changed in November at 65.0 percent. The employment-population ratio was unchanged at 58.5 percent.

– Courtesy of Bureau of Labor Statistics