After the first 11 weeks of 2012, the state’s average new unemployment claim total has declined by almost one-fourth when compared to the first full 11 weeks in 2010, according to Gov. Scott Walker.
The average total of new unemployment insurance claims has dropped by 23%, compared to the first full 11-week period in 2010, and by 12% when compared to the first full 11 weeks in calendar year 2011. Wisconsin’s average weekly totals for initial claims haven’t been lower for the 11th full week of a calendar year since 2005.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics uses the number of continued UI claims as one variable in calculating a state’s unemployment rate, which stands at 6.9% and marks its lowest point since December 2008.
