Idaho’s unemployment rate increased to 8.9 percent in August, paralleling a 0.1 percent increase in the national jobless rate. Across the country, 9.6 percent of workers are out of work.
The state unemployment rate had held steady at 8.8 percent in June and July, with a minor uptick in July. Idaho had seen unemployment at 9 percent or higher from November of last year through May, according to revised figures from the Idaho Department of Labor.
The number of unemployed Idahoans rose by 500 in August while the size of the labor force shrunk by 900, based on seasonally adjusted numbers.
The labor department said Idaho has some improvement in the ratio of unemployed people to job listings. Data from the business think tank The Conference Board, says there were still seven jobless workers for every two jobs listed in Idaho.
[...] The federal government’s website tracking the stimulus reports that 8,249 jobs have been created. Idaho’s unemployment rate topped 10 percent after the plan was passed in early 2009, and currently sits at 8.9 percent. [...]