second half of 2009, the Louisiana Workforce Commission announced today.
Louisiana’s unemployment rate is tied for 14th lowest in the nation and third lowest in the Southern region. The Southern
region rate for December was 9.6 percent, and the U.S. rate was 10 percent. Louisiana was one of 43 states and theDistrict of Columbia with over-the-month unemployment increases.
The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.4 percent in July, September and October, 7.8 percent in August
and 6.7 percent in November.
“The trend shows a fairly even picture going back to July 2009, and it shows we’ve consistently outperformed the nation
and the South,” said LWC Executive Director Curt Eysink.
The New Orleans metropolitan statistical area (MSA) led the state with an increase of 1,500 nonfarm jobs over the month.
Louisiana’s civilian labor force - the number of people working or looking for work - for December 2009 was 2,049,802,
down 5,294 from November revised figures. Civilian labor force statistics are estimated from a residential-based sample
survey by place of residence.
The state’s December nonfarm job total of 1,901,700 reflects an over-the-month decline of 5,900 jobs and a 2.4 percent
drop over the year. Nationally, the number of jobs declined 3 percent over the year.
The educational and health services sector continued its growth trend, gaining 500 jobs over the month. Leisure and
hospitality was up 500 jobs, and information was up 200 jobs. Those gains were offset by job losses in manufacturing,
down 1,100 jobs; and trade, transportation, and utilities – which includes retail trade – which recorded a loss of 2,300
jobs. Retail trade experienced a loss of 200 jobs statewide, its first December decline in the decade. In addition,
construction lost 1,600 jobs and three sectors each lost 700 jobs: professional and business services, government, and
other services.
Nonfarm jobs are estimated from an employer-based sample survey by place of work.
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