The state’s unemployment rate dipped to 2.6% in December, down a tenth of a point from the previous month.
New numbers from New Hampshire Employment Security show that the state shed nearly 2,000 jobs during December, but that was offset by a larger decline in the overall labor force.
The largest private sector job losses were in retail trade, construction, as well as leisure and hospitality. Public sector employment decreased by 900 jobs during the month.
According to the figures, between November and December, the state’s labor force--the total number of people working, as well as those looking for work--decreased by 2,380 to 744,040. Since December 2016, the labor force has fallen by more than 7,200, prompting a statewide labor shortage as firms and non-profits struggle to find enough workers.
New Hampshire’s unemployment rate has been below 3.0% for 25 straight months. The U.S. unemployment rate is 4.1%.