Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—March 1, 2013. In 2012, annual average unemployment rates declined in 46 states and the District of Columbia, rose in 2 states, and were unchanged in 2 states, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment-population ratios increased in 26 states and the District of Columbia, decreased in 18 states, and were unchanged in 6 states. The U.S. jobless rate declined by 0.8 percentage point from the prior year to 8.1 percent, and the national employment-population ratio edged up to 58.6 percent.
