Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—February 28, 2014. In 2013, annual average unemployment rates declined in 43 states and the District of Columbia, rose in 2 states, and were unchanged in 5 states, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment-population ratios decreased in 28 states, increased in 17 states and the District of Columbia, and were unchanged in 5 states. The U.S. jobless rate declined by 0.7 percentage point from the prior year to 7.4 percent, and the national employment-population ratio was unchanged at 58.6 percent.
