Despite weak job growth last month, the stateβs jobless rate dropped again to the lowest figure in more than eight years.
With a drop of two-tenths of a point, the seasonally adjusted rate hit 5.0 percent. The last time it was lower was April 2008.
But the stateβs unemployment rate still remains higher than the national average of 4.6 percent, a decline of three-tenths of a point from October.
Private sector employment in November grew by just 15,800. That is far below the average gain of 26,300 in November since the end of the recession.
It also shows an overall tepid 1.1 percent year-over-year increase in the number of those working in Arizona for private firms.
Doug Walls, research administrator for the stateβs Office of Economic Opportunity, said one reason for the slow growth is disappointing numbers in trade, transportation and utilities, the stateβs largest employment sector.
It did pick up 9,800 new employees between October and November. But Walls said that at this time of year retailers should be ramping up even more for Christmas sales. That typically translates out to a gain for this sector of 13,600.
In fact, the situation in the retail sector was so bad that employers actually have fewer workers this November than last year. Walls said this is the first time anyone can recall there has been a year-over-year decrease in retail employment in the run-up to Christmas.
There was an increase of 4,500 workers in the employment services sector. That includes firms that hire temporary workers for others, including retailers.
But thatβs just an 0.3 percent year-over-year boost.
Despite the weak growth in overall employment, Walls said the numbers released Thursday are still good news.
βIt is important to keep in mind that it is still positive growth,β he said, with nearly 30,000 more people employed now than a year ago.
