Changing Gears

Michigan has at times had the highest unemployment rate in the nation, peaking above 14 percent in 2009. But today, state officials said the November rate dropped below 10 percent for the first time in three years, although the decline is primarily due to fewer people seeking jobs.

The jobless rate was 9.8 percent last month, according to the state Department of Technology, Management and Budget. A year ago, the jobless rate was 11.4 percent.

Michigan’s unemployment rate compares with a national rate of 8.6 percent, but state officials say the unemployment rate in Michigan has dropped by a full percentage point since this past August.

It was the lowest rate for Michigan since October, 2008, when the rate stood at 9.4 percent. The following month, the state unemployment rate rose above 10 percent, and has been in double digits ever since.

But as with the national situation, fewer people in Michigan are seeking full-time employment. State officials said the labor force dropped by 88,000 workers in November, the eighth straight month in which the number of people employed had dropped.

Ten years ago, Michigan’s workforce (including those employed and unemployed) stood at nearly 5.2 million people, and the unemployment rate was 4.6 percent. Last month, the state’s total workforce stood at 4.6 million, with 9.8 percent out of work.

However, Michigan officials said recent job growth has taken place in business services, manufacturing and health care.

Detroit’s unemployment rate fell to to 11.2 percent, the lowest for the area since March. State officials said the workforce declined by 11,000 workers between October and November. In the past year, 37,000 people have left the workforce.