WPRO News and the Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – The unemployment rate in Rhode Island in December dropped to 6.8 percent, the lowest rate in nearly seven years.
Rhode Island has had one of the worst unemployment rates in the nation for years.
The state Department of Labor and Training said on Thursday that the unemployment rate fell three-tenths of a percentage point since November and 2.5 percentage points since December of 2013.
The unemployment rate has not been that low in Rhode Island since March 2008.
Governor Gina Raimondo said in a statement she is pleased with the improvement in unemployment.
“However, Rhode Island’s unemployment rate remains significantly higher than other New England states and the national average. Too many people are still struggling — we must do more to create opportunity and make sure that everyone can make it in Rhode Island.”
The national unemployment rate in December stood at 5.6 percent, 1.2 percentage points lower than in Rhode Island.
Gov. Gina Raimondo says she is pleased by the news, but says the state’s unemployment rate remains significantly higher than other New England states and the national average.
