The unemployment rate in Massachusetts has experienced a slight increase.

On Friday, January 24th, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported that the state's unemployment rate for December 2024 rose to 4.1%, whereas November was 4.0%. This new figure now aligns with the national unemployment rate, which also stands at 4.1%.

How does Berkshire County compare?

According to the Department of Economic Research, Berkshire County had an unemployment rate for December of 2024 of 4.2%, which is 0.1% higher than Massachusetts’ rate.

Since September of 2024, the unemployment rate in the county has been steadily increasing. In September, the rate stood at 3.3%, and rose to 3.5% in October, and 3.8% in November.