COLUMBUS – Ohio finished 2017 with four consecutive monthly declines in the statewide unemployment rate and with more than 5 million Ohioans on the job, the highest number in nearly a decade.
Unemployment in December was 4.7 percent, down from 4.8 percent in November, and 0.7 percent lower than the highest rate for the year, the 5.4 percent recorded in August, according to a monthly report released Friday morning by the state.
Ohio employers added 2,500 from November approximately 5.5 million in December 2017, the greatest number since the onset of the recession in August 2008.
However, critics of the ecomonic policies of Gov. John Kasich snd his fellow Republicans claim the number of people employed or seeking work is still down by 200,000 since the start of the recession.
“There is no trickle down. Policies that overwhelmingly favor corporations and the rich have made us weaker as a state,” said Hannah Halbert, researcher with the liberal-leaning yhink-tank Policy Matters Ohio.
Job gains were reported in sectors that include educational and health services; leisure and hospitality; financial activities; and other services. Those gains exceeded losses in the information; professional and business services; and trade, transportation and utilities sectors.
Government employment in Ohio dropped by 4,700 jobs in December.
The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in December was down 9,000 from November 14,000 lower than December 2016.
The jobless rate for Ohio decreased from 5.0 percent in December 2016. The U.S. unemployment rate for December was 4.1 percent, down from 4.7 percent a year ago.