From the Alaska Department of Labor: "Alaska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January fell to 7.7 percent, down from December’s rate of 7.9 percent. December’s rate was revised from 8.1 percent. The comparable national jobless rate for January was 9.0 percent, down from 9.4 percent in December. Exactly a year ago, the national unemployment rate was 9.7 percent, compared to 8.2 percent for Alaska.
"Unemployment rates in Alaska and the nation are apparently improving in concert, and three months of strong recovery in the U.S. rate should bode well for Alaska’s job seekers. As the employment picture improves in the Lower 48, fewer job seekers will venture to Alaska to look for work. More opportunities in the Lower 48 might also attract more Alaskan job seekers south. The year 2009 was the fi rst in Alaska’s history that the annual unemployment rate was lower than the nation’s. This trend continued in 2010, and it appears strong in 2011. However, if the nation’s jobless rate continues to recover and approaches normal levels, the differences between Alaska and the rest of the U.S. will likely narrow, and could eventually reverse.
"Not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates normally climb at least through February in most areas, and this year is following that pattern. January’s rates increased in a majority of the state, but there were a number of exceptions. Unemployment fell in Kodiak, the Aleutians East Borough, and the Aleutians West census area as they entered the groundfi sh and opilio crab seasons. In January, the North Slope Borough and Juneau had the lowest unemployment rates, and the Hoonah- Angoon census area and Skagway had the highest."
Comments