Department of Workforce Development

MADISON – Unemployment for Wisconsin dropped from 4.3 percent in November to 4.2 percent in December and remained unchanged from November’s 4.7 percent when seasonally-adjusted according to figures released today by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. The seasonally adjusted rate for the nation was 5.8 percent for December.

The number of Wisconsin residents unemployed dropped from 130,700 in November to 126,500 in December. In December 2001, there were 89,200 unemployed in Wisconsin.

In response to higher unemployment, the Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council last week, with urging from Gov. McCallum and members of the state legislature, voted to extend benefits eight weeks beyond the current twenty-six week limit.

"Wisconsin has a strong tradition of leading the way when it comes to protecting its workforce," Secretary Reinert said. "With some 37,000 more Wisconsin workers unemployed than there were a year ago, it just makes sense that we take the lead again and do something for workers now. They should not have to wait for Congress to act," she said.

Manufacturing employment in December was estimated at 576,800 jobs, down from the 580,000 estimates for November and down 35,000 jobs from last year’s December figure. The monthly average for manufacturing jobs for 2001 was 594,500 compared to an average monthly figure of 617,000 for 2000.

The total number of jobs estimated for Wisconsin’s nonfarm economy was 2,851,000 for December, down from November’s 2,856,600 and last December’s 2,863,000. The average monthly figure for 2001 is estimated at 2,840,400 compared to last year’s figure of 2,834,200. Construction ended the year down about 700 from last year’s average figure. The finance, insurance and real estate sector gained about 3,400 jobs over the course of the year. Transportation, communications, and utilities industry gained 1,700, the retail trade industry gained 2,600, the services industry gained 17,400 and the government sector gained 5,100.

County employment and unemployment figures for December should be available on January 23, 2002. This release is available on the department Internet site: http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/lmi

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