State’s unemployment decline near top in nation

Regional and state unemployment rates were generally lower in November. Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia recorded over-the-month unemployment rate decreases, eight states registered rate increases and six states had no rate change, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.

Over the year, jobless rates increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The national unemployment rate edged down in November to 10 percent, 0.2 percentage point lower than October, but 3.2 points higher than November 2008.

In November, non-farm payroll employment increased in 19 states and decreased in 31 states and the District of Columbia. Mississippi saw the fourth-lowest rate decrease in the nation at -0.6 percent.

Mississippi’s unemployment rate in Nov. 2009 was 2.2 points higher than in Nov. 2008. That ranks 22^nd in the nation.