After several months of relatively stable unemployment, North Carolina's seasonally adjusted jobless rate increased in November. The rate increased by one-tenth of a percent from the October figure of six percent.

Despite the slight increase, unemployment across the state remained almost one-half percent below the figure recorded in November 2001.

The state's jobless rate has remained relatively stable since August and overall employment has not fluctuated significantly.

North Carolina Employment Security Commission Chairman Harry Payne said the slight increase recorded in November was likely due to temporary layoffs of industries that closed down during the week of Thanksgiving. He said these employees were expected to return to work after the holiday.

Non-agricultural employment across the state decreased slightly, indicating slower employment growth in the state compared to most years in the past decade.

The national unemployment rate increased by three-tenths of a percent in November to six percent. This marks only the second time in 2002 that the national unemployment rate has been six percent. It has varied between 5.5 and 5.9 percent throughout most of the year.

The state's unemployment rate is now about the same as national rate, after nearly two years of trailing the national rate, by as much as one percent.

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