BISMARCK, N.D. – Job Service North Dakota reported that labor statistics released today show North Dakota’s January not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5 percent. The unemployment rate increased 0.5 of a percentage point between December and January, which was consistent with typical seasonal patterns. January 2021’s rate was 1.8 percentage points higher than the current rate.

Between December 2021 and January 2022 unemployment rose by 2,310, an increase of 19.4 percent. North Dakota typically sees a considerable increase in unemployment numbers between December and January. The over-the-year decrease (January 2021 to January 2022) in unemployed labor force was 7,067, a loss of 33.2 percent.

The national not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January was 4.4 percent. It was 3.7 percent the prior month and 6.8 percent the prior year.