Rhode Island Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Rhode Island rose 0.2 percentage points in November 2023 to 2.9%. The state unemployment rate was 0.8 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Rhode Island peaked in April 2020 at 18.0% and is now 15.1 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 2.6% in September 2023, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.3 percentage points. You can also see Rhode Island unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	November 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.7%	-0.1	+0.1
Rhode Island	2.9%	+0.2	-0.4

Note: All comparisons are made with November data as December state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Rhode Island, National

Rhode Island monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to November 2023

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Rhode Island Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Rhode Island peaked in April 2020 at 98,554. There are now 81,881 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 14,892 in September 2023, the number of unemployed has now grown by 1,781. Rhode Island job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	November 2023	Month/Month	Year/Year
Rhode Island	16,673	+1,029	-1,956

Number of Unemployed Persons