Connecticut’s job picture brightened a bit last month as the state’s unemployment rate fell to 8.2 percent.
Overall, the state added 600 jobs in December, which helped push down the unemployment rate from 8.4 percent in November.
Since July 2011, when the unemployment rate was 9.1 percent, Connecticut’s jobless rate and the number of unemployed have fallen appreciably for five consecutive months, the state Labor Department said Monday.
The total nonfarm job count reached 1,627,800 in December, a monthly increase of 600 over a revised November decline of 1,400. Connecticut has grown 9,000 jobs over a year ago or 0.6 percent.
U.S. unemployment fell to 8.6 percent last month.
“After a disappointing performance in the third quarter of 2011, it appears that Connecticut’s labor market has returned to a modest pace toward recovery,” said Andy Condon, director of the Office of Research. “Our declining unemployment rate is particularly good news. However, forecasts for job growth in 2012 remain cautious and uncertain with most analysts predicting levels much like what we saw this past year.”
The trade, transportation and utilities sector led all major sector growth in December, adding 2,500 jobs, or 0.9 percent. The retail trade added 1,900 jobs thanks to strong holiday shopping season.
The transportation and Leisure and hospitality industries both added 8000 jobs.
The manufacturing sector lost 1,500 jobs in December, the largest major sector decline last month.Â
