November 2012’s unemployment rate of 7.7 percent is lowest since December’s 2008 rate of 7.2 percent
In November 2008 the unemployment rate was 6.7 percent. By January 2009 the unemployment rate rose to 7.6 percent and 8.1 percent by February 2009. Unemployment would peaked in October 2009 with an unemployment rate of 10.2%.
The unemployment rate edged down to 7.7 percent in November. The number of unemployed persons, at 12.0 million, changed little.
Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult men (7.2 percent), adult women (7.0 percent), teenagers (23.5 percent), whites (6.8 percent), and Hispanics (10.0 percent) showed little or no change in November. The unemployment rate for blacks (13.2 percent) declined over the month. The jobless rate for Asians was 6.4 percent (not seasonally adjusted), little changed from a year earlier.
The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was little changed at 4.8 million in November. These individuals accounted for 40.1 percent of the unemployed.
The civilian labor force participation rate declined by 0.2 percentage point to 63.6 percent in November, offsetting an increase of the same amount in October. Total employment was about unchanged in November, following a combined increase of 1.3 million over the prior 2 months. The employment-population ratio, at 58.7 percent, changed little in November.
The number of persons employed part time for economic reasons (sometimes referred to as involuntary part-time workers), at 8.2 million in November, was little changed over the month. These individuals were working part time because their hours had been cut back or because they were unable to find a full-time job.
In November, 2.5 million persons were marginally attached to the labor force, essentially unchanged from a year earlier. (These data are not seasonally adjusted.) These individuals were not in the labor force, wanted and were available for work, and had looked for a job sometime in the prior 12 months. They were not counted as unemployed because they had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey.
Among the marginally attached, there were 979,000 discouraged workers in November, little changed from a year earlier. (These data are not seasonally adjusted.) Discouraged workers are persons not currently looking for work because they believe no jobs are available for them. The remaining 1.5 million persons marginally attached to the labor force in November had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey for reasons such as school attendance or family responsibilities.
Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 146,000 in November. Since the beginning of this year, employment growth has averaged 151,000 per month, about the same as the average monthly job gain of 153,000 in 2011. In November, employment rose in retail trade, professional and business services, and health care.
Retail trade employment rose by 53,000 in November and has increased by 140,000 over the past 3 months. Over the month, job gains occurred in clothing and clothing accessory stores (+33,000), in general merchandise stores (+10,000), and in electronics and appliance stores (+9,000). Employment in miscellaneous store retailers decreased by 13,000. In November, employment in professional and business services rose by 43,000. Employment continued to increase in computer systems design and related services.
Health care employment continued to increase in November (+20,000), with gains in hospitals (+8,000) and in nursing care facilities (+5,000). Health care has added an average of 26,000 jobs per month this year.
Employment in wholesale trade edged up over the month (+13,000). Since reaching an employment trough in May 2010, the industry has added 228,000 jobs.
Information employment also edged up in November (+12,000), with the increase concentrated in motion picture and sound recording (+15,000). On net, information employment has changed little over the past 12 months.
In November, leisure and hospitality employment continued to trend up (+23,000). Over the past 12 months, the industry has added 305,000 jobs.
Employment in construction declined by 20,000 in November, with much of the loss occurring in construction of buildings (-11,000). Since early 2010, employment in construction has shown no clear trend.
Manufacturing employment changed little over the month. Within the industry, job losses in food manufacturing (-12,000) and chemicals (-9,000) more than offset gains in motor vehicles and parts (+10,000) and wood products (+3,000). On net, manufacturing employment has changed little since this past spring.
Employment in other major industries, including mining and logging, transportation and warehousing, financial activities, and government, showed little change in November.
The average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls remained at 34.4 hours in November. The manufacturing workweek edged up by 0.1 hour to 40.6 hours, and factory overtime was unchanged at 3.2 hours. The average workweek for production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls edged up 0.1 hour to 33.7 hours.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | Division of Labor Force Statistics
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Video: US jobs growth expands in November 2012
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The Great Recession by the numbers
Dilemma X
The Great Recession and the Global Financial Crisis began in December 2007. By December 2008 the unemployment rate reached 7.2% and reached its peak in October 2009 with an unemployment rate of 10.2%. The financial crisis was triggered by a complex problems in the United States banking system, the U.S. housing bubble and other financial failures.
Past November unemployment rates:
November 2012 was 7.7% The number of unemployed persons was 12.0 million
November 2011 was 8.6% The number of unemployed persons was 13.3 million
November 2010 was 9.8% The number of unemployed persons was 15.1 million
November 2009 was 10.0% The number of unemployed persons was 15.4 million
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President Barack Obama assumed office January 20, 2009.
In January 2009 the number of unemployed persons was 11.6 million and the unemployment rate was 7.6%.
Unemployment peaked in October 2009 with an unemployment rate of 10.2% and 15.7 million unemployed persons.
White male unemployment, 20 years and over, in December 2008 was 6.5% and White female unemployment, 20 years and over, was 5.5%.
White male unemployment, 20 years and over, in January 2009 was 6.8% and White female unemployment, 20 years and over, was 5.8%.
White male unemployment, 20 years and over, in September 2009 was 9.6% and White female unemployment, 20 years and over, was 7.0%.
White male unemployment, 20 years and over, in October 2009 was 9.9% and White female unemployment, 20 years and over, was 7.4%.
White male unemployment, 20 years and over, in September 2012 that number for White men was 6.6% and White female unemployment, 20 years and over, was 6.3%.
White male unemployment, 20 years and over, in October 2012 that number for White men was 6.6% and White female unemployment, 20 years and over, was 6.3%.
White male unemployment, 20 years and over, in November 2012 that number for White men was 6.4% and White female unemployment, 20 years and over, was 6.2%.
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African American male unemployment, 20 years and over, in December 2008 was 13.4% and African American female unemployment, 20 years and over, was 8.9%.
African American male unemployment, 20 years and over, in January 2009 was 15.4% and African American female unemployment, 20 years and over, was 9.2%.
African American male unemployment, 20 years and over, in September 2009 was 16.5% and African American female unemployment, 20 years and over, was 12.5%.
African American male unemployment, 20 years and over, in October 2009 was 17.1% and African American female unemployment, 20 years and over, was 12.4%.
African American male unemployment, 20 years and over, in September 2012 was 14.2% and African American female unemployment, 20 years and over, was 10.9%.
African American male unemployment, 20 years and over, in October 2012 was 14.1% and African American female unemployment, 20 years and over, was 12.4.
African American male unemployment, 20 years and over, in November 2012 was 13.0% and African American female unemployment, 20 years and over, was 11.4.
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In November 2009 the number of unemployed persons was 15.4 million, and the unemployment rate was 10.0%.
In November 2010 the number of unemployed persons was 15.1 million and the unemployment rate was 9.8%.
In November 2011 the number of unemployed persons was 13.3 million and the unemployment rate was 8.6%.
In November 2012 the number of unemployed persons was 12.0 million and the unemployment rate was 7.7%.
Between January 2009 and March, 2009 more than 2 million jobs were lost and 663,000 were lost in March 2009 alone. The number of unemployed persons increased to 13.2 million that month.
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George W. Bush served as the 43rd President of the United States from January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2009
November 2001 the nation’s unemployment rate was 5.7% with a total of 8.2 million unemployed persons
November 2008 the nation’s unemployment rate was 6.7% with a total of 10.3 million unemployed persons. Unemployment rate was the following: whites 6.1% and for blacks 11.2%.
January 2009 the nation’s unemployment rate was 7.6% with a total of 11.6 million unemployed persons. For whites the unemployment rate was 6.9% and for African Americans it was 12.6%.
Bill Clinton served as the 42nd President of the United States from January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001
November 1994 the nation’s unemployment rate was 5.6% with a total of 7.3 million unemployed persons.
November 2000 the nation’s unemployment rate was 4.0% with a total of 5.7million unemployed persons. Unemployment rate was the following: whites 3.5% and for blacks 7.4%.
In September 2000 the unemployment rate was 3.9%. This was the first time the nation’s unemployment rate had been below 4.0% since January 1970. January 2001 the nation’s unemployment rate was 4.2%. The number of unemployed persons rose to 5.95 million.
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November 2012
African American unemployment
African American unemployment
African American unemployment for November 2012 increased to 13.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for October 2012 was 14.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for September 2012 was13.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for August 2012 was 14.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for July 2012 was 14.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for June 2012 was 14.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for May 2012 was 13.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for April 2012 was 13.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for March 2012 was 14.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for February 2012 was 14.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for January 2012 was 13.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for December 2011 was to 15.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for November 2011 was 15.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for October 2011 was 15.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for September 2011 was 15.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for August 2011 was 16.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for July 2011 was 15.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for June 2011 was 16.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for May 2011 was 16.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for April 2011 was 16.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
African American unemployment for May 2010 was 15.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
By Sex African American unemployment for men 20 years and over
November 2012 decreased to 13.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2012 was 14.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2012 was 14.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2012 was 14.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2012 was 14.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2012 was 14.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2012 was 14.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2012 was 13.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2012 was 13.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2012 was 14.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 was 12.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2011 was 15.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2011 was 16.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2011 was 16.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2011 was 16.6% (Seasonally adjusted) A
ugust 2011 was 18.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2011 was 17.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2011 was 17.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2011 was 17.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2011 was 17.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2010 was 17.0% (Not seasonally adjusted)
September 2009 was 15.5% (Not seasonally adjusted)
August 2010 was at 17.3%
African American unemployment for women 20 years and over
November 2012 decreased to 11.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2012 was 12.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2012 was 10.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2012 was 12.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2012 was 11.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2012 was 12.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2012 was 11.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2012 was 10.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2012 was 12.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2012 was 12.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 was 12.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2011 was 13.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2011 was 13.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2011 was 12.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2011 was 13.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2011 was 13.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2011 was 13.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2011 was 13.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2011 was 13.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2011 was 13.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2010 was 12.0% (Not seasonally adjusted)
September 2009 was 13.4% (Not seasonally adjusted)
August 2010 was 13.2%
African American unemployment for both sexes, 16 to 19 years
November 2012 decreased to 39.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2012 was 40.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2012 was 36.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2012 was 37.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2012 was 36.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2012 was 39.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2012 was 36.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2012 was 38.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2012 was 40.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2012 was 34.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 was 38.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2011 was 42.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2011 was 39.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2011 was 37.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2011 was 43.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2011 was 46.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2011 was 39.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2011 was 39.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2011 was 40.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2011 was 41.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2010 was 38.4% (Not seasonally adjusted)
September 2009 was 40.7% (Not seasonally adjusted)
August 2010 was 45.4%
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November 2012
White unemployment
White unemployment for Novembrer 2012 decreased to 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for October 2012 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for September 2012 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for August 2012 was 7.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for July 2012 was 7.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for June 2012 was 7.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for May 2012 was 7.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for April 2012 was 7.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for March 2012 was 7.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for February 2012 was 7.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for January 2012 was 7.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for December 2011 was 7.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for November 2011 was 7.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for October 2011 was 8.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for September 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for August 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for July 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for June 2011 was 8.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for May 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
White unemployment for May 2010 was 8.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
By Sex White unemployment for men 20 years and over
November 2012 decreased to 6.4% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2012 was 6.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2012 was 6.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2012 was % (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2012 was 6.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2012 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2012 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 was 6.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2011 was 7.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2011 was 7.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2011 was 7.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2011 was 7.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2011 was 7.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2011 was 8.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2011 was 7.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2010 was 8.4% (Not seasonally adjusted)
September 2009 was 8.7% (Not seasonally adjusted)
August 2010 was 8.9%
White unemployment for women unemployment 20 years and over
November 2012 decreased to 6.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2012 was 6.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2012 was 6.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2012 was 6.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2012 was 6.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2012 was 6.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2012 was 6.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 was 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
December 2011 decreased to 6.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2011 was 6.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2011 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2011 was 7.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2011 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2011 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2011 was 7.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2011 was 7.1% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2011 was 7.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2010 was 7.0% (Not seasonally adjusted)
September 2009 was 7.2% (Not seasonally adjusted)
August 2010 was 7.1%
White unemployment for both sexes, 16 to 19 years
November 2012 decreased to 20.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2012 was 20.6% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2012 was 21.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2012 was 22.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2012 was 21.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2012 was 20.9% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2012 was 22.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2012 was 22.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
March 2012 was 22.5% (Seasonally adjusted)
February 2012 was 21.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
January 2012 was 21.1% (Seasonally adjusted) D
ecember 2011 was 20.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
November 2011 was 21.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
October 2011 was 21.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
September 2011 was 21.2% (Seasonally adjusted)
August 2011 was 22.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
July 2011 was 23.0% (Seasonally adjusted)
June 2011 was 21.8% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2011 was 20.7% (Seasonally adjusted)
April 2011 was 22.3% (Seasonally adjusted)
May 2010 was 25.1% (Not seasonally adjusted)
September 2009 was 23.0% (Not seasonally adjusted)
August 2010 was 23.8%
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Seasonally Adjusted
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Seasonal adjustmentis a statistical method for removing the seasonal component of a time series used when analyzing non-seasonal trends. Whereas, not-seasonally-adjusted reflects the actual current data. It is normal to report not-seasonally-adjusted data for current unemployment rates. Seasonally adjusted data may be used for the longer term comparison. Total employment and unemployment vary throughout the year. For example,higher unemployment in January and February isn’t uncommon because of work in agriculture, construction and other seasonal industries slowing down. Also, both employment and unemployment rise every June, when students enter the labor force in search of summer jobs. Seasonally adjusted numbers also take into account seasonal hiring/layoff patterns that go along with winter and summer holidays.
Dilemma X 
December 7, 2012
U.S. unemployment rate