Adecco

Regional insights

Highest unemployment.
The Midwest reclaimed the unfortunate distinction as the region with the highest unemployment in the most recent regional jobs report, coming in above the national average at 6.1%. Due to its heavy reliance on goods-producing sectors of the economy like manufacturing, the area has been challenged to keep pace with the level of job creation seen throughout the rest of the country, with states like Michigan and Illinois hardest hit. The West came in a close second with an unemployment rate of 5.9%. California has been particularly impacted by the recent turmoil in the financial services and construction industries, which combined have increased unemployment in the state, reaching a relatively high level of 6.9%.

Lowest unemployment.
Regions with a hybrid economy with a heavier reliance on professional services job categories continue to experience lower unemployment. The South is such an example with a good mix of employers that has kept unemployment below the national average, currently coming in at 5.1%. The Northeast is a close second with an unemployment rate of 5.3%. The states with the strongest job markets in these areas include Louisiana, Maryland and Virginia – each of which has unemployment at or below the 4% mark. Another state that’s been particularly strong in the area of job creation is Texas, which has added over 400,000 jobs to its economy in the last 12 months thanks to robust growth in the energy industry.

Of note. Mapping out areas of note

•	The largest over-the-year percentage increases in employment occurred in Wyoming (+2.7 percent), Texas (+2.4 percent), Montana (+2.2 percent) and the District of Columbia (+1.8 percent).
•	Rhode Island recorded the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-2.4 percent), followed by Michigan (-1.1 percent) and Florida (-1.0 percent).

©2008 Adecco