New York State's economy gained 34,400 private sector jobs in November 2011, the State Labor Department reported last month. Since the state's economic recovery began in November 2009, New York has recouped 61%, or 202,700, of the private sector jobs lost during the 2008-2009 recession.

The state’s unemployment rate increased over the month, from 7.9% in October to 8.0% in November 2011. One factor contributing to the increase in the state’s unemployment rate was an increase in the size of the statewide labor force, which grew by 9,900 as more people re-entered the job market to look for work. The agency also released  state unemployment numbers for November.   

•The counties in New York State with the lowest unemployment rates included:

◦Tompkins County (5.4%)

◦Putnam County (6.1%)

◦Saratoga County (6.1%)

◦Westchester County (6.2%)

◦Ontario County (6.3%)

◦Rockland County (6.3%)

 

•The counties in New York State with the highest unemployment rates included:

 ◦Bronx County (12.6%)

◦Kings County (9.8%)

◦Fulton County (9.4%)

◦Jefferson County (9.4%)

◦St. Lawrence County (9.3%)

◦Hamilton County (9.2%)

During the week that included November 12, 2011, 464,863 people (including 425,406 who live in New York State) received benefits under:

•Regular Unemployment Insurance (UI),

•Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC08), or

•Federal Extended Benefits (EB) programs.

 

Residents who received benefits under these programs made up 56% of the total unemployed in the state in November 2011.