ABJ - May 28 - Regional and state unemployment rates were little changed in April, as 37 states plus Washington, D.C. recorded unemployment rate decreases, five states posted rate increases, and eight states had no change, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

48 states and Washington, D.C. registered unemployment rate decreases from a year earlier, while only one state experienced an increase and one had no change. The national jobless rate was little changed from March (8.1 per cent) but was 0.9 per cent lower than April 2011.

This April, non-farm payroll employment increased in 32 states and Washington, D.C., and decreased in 18 states.

The largest over-the-month increase in employment occurred in Indiana (17,100), followed by Texas (13,200) and Georgia (7,800). The largest over-the-month decrease in employment occurred in Maryland (-6,000), followed by Wisconsin (-5,900) and New Hampshire (-4,800).

Hawaii experienced the largest over-the-month percentage increase in employment (0.8 per cent), followed by North Dakota (0.7 per cent) and Indiana (0.6 per cent). New Hampshire experienced the largest over-the-month percentage decline in employment (-0.8 per cent), followed by Alaska (-0.7 per cent) and Vermont (-0.5 per cent).

Over the year, non-farm employment increased in 43 states and Washington, D.C. and decreased in seven states. The largest over-the-year percentage increase occurred in North Dakota (7.2 per cent), while the largest over-the-year percentage decrease occurred in Rhode Island (-0.9 per cent).