Initial unemployment claims continue to decline in New Hampshire, falling by 2,269 (or 47%), to 2,557 from a revised 4,826 (adjusted for re-filings) during the week ending July 4th, according to the latest data from NH Emploment Security.
On a not seasonally adjusted basis, the number of initial claims nationally increased by 108,111 or eight percent compared to the week ending July 4th.
A majority of states (32) experienced an increase in new claims, led by states that have rapidly climbing cases of Covid-19: Florida with an additional 62,4677, Georgia with an additional 31,176, and California with an increase of 22,941 claims compared to the week ending July 4th.
Continuing claims in NH also continue to decline at a faster rate than the U.S. overall. Continuing claims (by individuals who remain unemployed and file a “continuing claim” for unemployment insurance) is an important metric in assessing the state’s progress of economic recovery from pandemic-required restrictions and related economic effects.
As of the week ending July 4th (continuing claims are reported with a one-week lag), NH had 71,599 continued claims, down 2,877 or 4% from a revised 74,476 claims during the week ending June 27th. Nationally, 27 states experienced increases in continuing claims and overall, claims increased by 838,307 or by 5% on a not seasonally adjusted basis.
Again, led by states experiencing the most difficulty in controlling the Covid-19 pandemic (Florida, Georgia, and California). Among all states in the Northeast, only Maine has a lower number of continuing claims for unemployment insurance as a percentage of its labor force.
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