The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released its report on state unemployment for November 2024. The month showed unemployment rates increase in six U.S. states, including Alabama which rose to 3.1 percent. The other states that saw the greatest increases in their respective unemployment rates during November included Maine, and Mississippi, with each of their rates increasing by 0.2 percent. There were also increases of 0.1 percent in Iowa, Kansas, and Vermont.

Before this increase, Alabama’s jobless rate had reached 3.1 percent in April of 2024, before dropping significantly in subsequent months. The state’s unemployment once again achieved the same 3.1 percent mark in November, indicating a rise in unemployment. This rate is comparable to Alabama’s unemployment levels just prior to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and less than half of the state’s unemployment rate a decade ago.

In contrast to the national average of 4.2 percent unemployment, Alabama’s jobless rate, although it did rise last month, remained over a percentage point lower. Between 2014 and 2018, Alabama’s unemployment rate consistently exceeded the national average. In November, states like Alaska, California, Illinois, Nevada, and the District of Columbia all had unemployment rates above the national average, despite experiencing little to no change in the month.

However, November’s unemployment was 0.5 percent higher than that of November 2023. Aligning with this trend, 25 states and Washington D.C. recorded higher unemployment rates in November 2024 than they did a year prior. Alabama was among them, seeing its unemployment rate increase by 0.3 percent over the past year.

As stated by Employ America, a policy research organization focused on U.S. labor market outcomes, “The labor market is treading water at this point. It’s not drowning, but it’s unclear how long it can remain in this state. They were referring to the intervening variables in the economy such as weather events, strikes, and high levels of immigration, which make drawing definitive conclusions about the state of the labor market difficult.

Unemployment and other macroeconomic indicators possibly present warning signs about the national economy or sustained effects from COVID-19 and other extraneous factors. Employment implications due to prominent strikes at organizations like Amazon and Starbucks over the holiday season are also yet to be revealed by upcoming labor statistics.

For those in Alabama experiencing unemployment and seeking support, numerous resources are available including the EDD (Employment Development Department). Individuals seeking assistance with unemployment claims can contact EDD via their website or phone number. For more details and resourceful information, visit eddcaller.com, a site dedicated to helping people contact EDD and address their concerns.