The number of Idahoans filing initial claims for unemployment continues to decline but remains at historical highs.
During the week ending May 30, 3,646 people filed initial claims, a 22% decline over the week prior, but still three times higher than the average May since 2015.
The Idaho Department of Labor reports continued claims also fell, down 10% from the week prior to 51,035 people. Continued claims are made by people who remain unemployed for multiple weeks. That data suggests some people are returning to work, but how many have returned to work versus dropped out of the labor pool or are still waiting for benefits is not available.
Idaho did not release specific claims data for self-employed individuals, but nationally, claims made in that category decreased nearly 50% from the previous week as federal benefit programs were expanded to include self-employed workers.
Nationwide, initial claims decreased by 12%, to just under 1.9 million last week, but continued claims nationwide rose more than 3% to nearly 21.5 million people.
Nationally, the unemployment rate announced for April was lower than expected Monday, at 13.3%. State data will be available later in the month.
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