N.C. unemployment up to 11.2%

RALEIGH — North Carolina's unemployment rate increased to 11.2 percent in December, according to statistics released today by the Employment Security Commission.

The November rate was 10.7 percent.

"The effects of a national recession continues to impact our jobless rate." Said ESC Chairman Moses Carey Jr.

"Non-farm payroll was down in December. Clearly, too many people are without a job, which is why we are work- ing hard to provide job search assistance — among other services — for job seekers, and unemployment benefits to thousands of people. Over the year, we have paid over $4.8 billion in benefits throughout North Carolina."

Seasonally adjusted, total non-farm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, decreased by 2,400 jobs over the past month and has decreased by 124,200 since December 2008 — to 3,924,000.

The largest over-the-month increase occurred in Professional & Business Services (+1,900). The largest decrease was in Leisure and Hospitality (-2,600).

Seasonally adjusted employment decreased by 31,338 workers to 4,016,382. Unemployment increased by 19,022 workers, to 505,939. Since this time last year, unemployment has increased by 136,266 people. Employment is down by 191,258 workers since December 2008. The state rate in December 2008 was 8.1 percent.

The next unemployment update is scheduled for Friday, January 29, when the county unemployment rates for the month of December will be released.

The seasonally adjusted labor force participation rate reflects the percentage of working-age population who are either employed or unemployed and actively seeking work. North Carolina's rate decreased 0.3 of a percentage point over the month to 62.8 (lowest for the year), while the United States' rate fell by 0.3 of a percentage point to 64.6 percent.

Nationally, the unemployment rate remained the same as the previous month at 10.0 percent. The number employed decreased 589,000 (0.4%), while the number unemployed fell by 73,000 (0.5%).