AUGUSTA, Maine — Preliminary estimates from the Maine Department of Labor peg the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate at 5.5 percent for December.
That estimate represents a decrease from 5.7 percent in November and from 6.4 percent in December 2013, according to a release issued Monday by Labor Commissioner
Jeanne Paquette.
The number of unemployed Maine residents declined 6,700 over the year to 38,400, according to Paquette.
The employment-to-population ratio — which Gov. Paul LePage’s administration has touted as an indication of improving economic conditions in Maine — was estimated at 60.8 percent for December, above the U.S. average (59.2 percent) for the 87th consecutive month.
Private sector job total estimates were up 5,300 from a year ago, with the Department of Labor identifying strongest growth in the professional and business service sectors. Education and health care also showed gains.
The total number of government jobs is estimated to have declined by 400 since December 2013.
The estimated unemployment rate in the Bangor metro area was 4.6 percent, compared with 3.7 percent in Portland-South Portland-Biddeford and 4.4 percent for Lewiston-Auburn.