R.I. jobless rate hits 10.5 percent in February

PROVIDENCE—Unemployment rose to 10.5 percent last month in Rhode Island as the state continued to suffer big losses in manufacturing and construction jobs, according to state figures announced Friday.

Rhode Island’s jobless rate far surpasses the national unemployment rate of 8.1 percent. Joblessness in the state stood at 6.5 percent a year ago.

The state’s job count peaked in early 2007 but has been dragged down by a bursting bubble in housing prices, long-term problems in the manufacturing sector, state budget deficits and a credit crisis that has crimped consumer spending. Rhode Island has recently lagged behind only Michigan and South Carolina in unemployment.

Classifieds: Job Listings

In February, Rhode Island lost 2,300 jobs over the previous month, according to a survey by the state Department of Labor and Training. It has suffered 13 consecutive months of job losses.

The number of unemployed people seeking work increased by 1,900 since January to reach 59,700.

In the past year, the state’s job count has dropped by 20,700, or about 4 percent. The worst job losses have happened in the manufacturing sector, retail trade, construction, business services and finance. Health care and education services have posted slight increases.