Alaska’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June rose one-tenth of a percent and sits at 6.8 percent, well above the national average, which is 4.4 percent. While there was an increase in unemployment, perhaps the more telling number is that June employment was down by 5,500 jobs, or 1.6 percent. This is compared to June last year. This number seems high, but in comparison to June 2016, it suggested tapering of job losses. During the fall of 2016, job losses were as high as 9,000 compared to the same month in the prior year. This equals about 2.5 percent. The industries with the largest losses were state government, construction, and oil and gas at -1,500, -1,400 and -1,300 respectively. These three industries account for 70 percent of the jobs lost across the state.
The boroughs and census areas with large fishing were the lowest, Aleutians East and Aleutians West with 2.7 percent and 3.8 percent respectively. Tourism areas also had low rates with Skagway and Denali Borough at 3.5 percent and 4.1 percent. The highest rate was 23.7 percent in the Kusilvak Census Area. The census area is on the Bering Sea Coast, north of Bethel, and often has the highest unemployment in Alaska.
For full employment information, visit the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
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