As released in the Bureau of Labor Statistics report last month, Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate, seasonally adjusted, dropped slightly from 3.9 percent in November to 3.8 percent Per New Report. Not seasonally adjusted, the unemployment rate rose from 3.4 percent in November to 3.5 percent Per New Report. 

Locally, according to a newly released Bureau of Labor Statistics report released on February 1, the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton metropolitan area unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) rose slightly from 4.2 percent in November to 4.3 percent Per New Report.

The slight rise in unemployment is nothing to be concerned about yet as it is may just be the natural fluctuation of the economy. Data in the coming months will tell more.