State Struggles To Lower Jobless Rate

In all of the state's 22 labor markets, unemployment rates increased in January compared to the previous month and January 2009, the state Office of Labor and Workforce Development said.

Unadjusted for seasonal variation, the statewide unemployment rate increased from 9.1 percent in December to 10.4 percent in January. The jobless rate was up 2.5 percent from the 7.9 percent rate registered in January 2009.

Seasonally adjusted, the jobless rate increased from 9.3 percent in December to 9.5 percent in January.

The labor office said the Worcester area, along with seven others recorded smaller month-to-month job losses than it had a year ago.