November 1995 — 1996-01-24

Unemployment rates were lower in November 1995 than a month earlier in 24 states and the District of Columbia, higher in 19 states, and unchanged in 7 states, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. The national unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in November, little changed from 5.5 percent in October. Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 35 states over the month. Two New England states had the only over-the-month unemployment rate declines greater than 0.5 percentage point. Rhode Island's rate dropped 1.0 percentage point, and New Hampshire's rate reached a 6-1/2 year low after falling 0.8 point. On the other hand, Pennsylvania's rate jumped by 1.2 percentage points, virtually erasing October's decline. The jobless rate in Ohio climbed 1.1 points, and California's rate rose by 1.0 point. Michigan, with a rate increase of 0.6 point, was the only other state with an over-the-month change of more than one-half point.