MONTGOMERY – Alabama Labor Sec. Fitzgerald Washington on Wednesday announced that Alabama experienced the largest over the year unemployment rate drop, based on annual averages, in the nation. According to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Alabama’s average annual rate decreased 1.5 percentage points.
Alabama’s annual average unemployment rate for 2017 was 4.4 percent, down from 2016’s average rate of 5.9 percent. Alabama was followed by Wyoming (-1.1 points) and Tennessee (-1.0 point).
“We’ve been working very hard, collaborating with Governor Kay Ivey, other state agencies, county and local governments, and Alabama’s employers to bring down our unemployment rate,” said Washington. “What we are doing is working. Alabamians are working, and employers are hiring. We are proud to lead the country in decreasing our unemployment rate.”
Alabama’s current unemployment rate, 3.5 percent in December 2017 (this is a preliminary figure and is subject to revision), is the lowest on record. Cullman County’s December 2017 rate, 2.8 percent, is the second-lowest in the state for December, down markedly from December 2016’s rate of 4.9 percent.
January’s unemployment rates are scheduled to be released on March 12.
See table below for full rankings.
Largest Annual Average Drop Table by cullmansense on Scribd
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