Unemployment Rate Rises In June

Jul. 19, 2002
No. 02-40

Though still substantially lower than the 10-year and 20-year June averages, Alaska's unemployment rate climbed to 6.3%, an increase of five-tenths of a percentage point from May. The comparable national rate also rose five-tenths of a percentage point, moving from 5.5% to 6.0%. Dan Robinson, a labor economist with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, reported the numbers.

The number of unemployed Alaskans rose by 2,227 in June to 21,429, an increase of 11.6%. Initial claims for unemployment insurance, however, fell for the third consecutive month. Approximately 6,000 persons filed new claims for unemployment benefits in June, down from more than 7,300 in May. For the year, initial claims are up 2.8% over the 2001 level.

Anchorage's unemployment rate rose three-tenths of a percentage point to 4.4%. Fairbanks also saw a three-tenths of a point increase, moving from 5.0% in May to 5.3% in June. Juneau saw similar movement, with an increase of four-tenths of a percentage point to 4.6%. The unemployment rates for Anchorage and Juneau are now slightly higher than in June 2001, while Fairbanks' rate is just below its year-ago level.

Other areas in the state saw a mix of increases and decreases. Boroughs and census areas with a heavy concentration of tourism generally saw decreases in their unemployment rates. These include the Denali Borough, where the rate fell three-tenths of a percentage point, Kenai Peninsula, where the rate fell eight-tenths, and Haines, where the rate fell three-tenths of a percentage point.

Conversely, areas of the state with a heavy dependence on fishing generally saw increases. Kodiak's unemployment rate jumped dramatically over the month, rising 9.1 percentage points from 5.8% in May to 14.9% in June. The Dillingham Census Area saw an increase of a full percentage point in June, rising from 8.8% to 9.8%. The highest reported unemployment rate was once again in the Wade Hampton Census Area at 23.5%, and the lowest was in the Aleutians East Borough at 3.8%.

Preliminary wage and salary employment estimates indicate that the state added approximately 9,600 jobs in June. The estimates also show over-the-year growth of about 2,100 jobs, a 0.7% increase.

Contact:   Dan Robinson, Labor Economist, Juneau (907) 465-6036
Fairbanks toll free number (800) 476-9900
URL Address:  https://laborstats.alaska.gov/

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