Alaska unemployment continues to sit 2 tenths of a percent below the national average. For February, Alaska’s unemployment rate was 6.5 percent, one tenth higher than January, but equal to February 2013. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development noted that unemployment typically peaks during February in their monthly unemployment release.
As we saw in January, many boroughs and census areas had an increase in unemployment, but the few exceptions were areas known for late winter fishing. February saw a decrease in unemployment in Haines, Petersburg, Kodiak Island and Aleutians East boroughs and the Aleutians West and Dillingham census areas. The other 23 areas in Alaska had an increase in unemployment this past month. The highest and lowest rates are still in the Hoonah-Angoon Census area and the North Slope Borough, respectively. Both saw slight increases from their January rates.
We will continue to monitor the stabilization of the Alaska unemployment rate versus the falling national average. As noted last week, the Alaska rate and national average are the closest that they have been since November 2008.
For detailed employment estimates, visit http://live.laborstats.alaska.gov/ces/.
Comments