Oregon Public Broadcasting

Unemployment in Oregon is rising at its fastest rate since the early 1980’s. As Kristian Foden-Vencil reports, it hit 9.9 percent in January and looks like it will continue increasing.

The graph tracking Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate looks like it’s shooting through a roof.

State economist, Art Ayre, says that over the last six months, Oregon has lost an average of 9000 jobs a month.

Art Ayre: “Oregon has been hit harder than the nation over the last year. Our decline was 3.6 percent, the nation’s was 2.5 percent in total non-farm payroll employment.”

Voices Of The Unemployed - Audio Slideshow

Ayre says the numbers look worse because people continue to move to Oregon without jobs. 

And, he says, other people -- who perhaps weren’t looking for work last year -- are now in the market because of the poor economy.

There were some job increases, however.

The educational and health services sectors added 2100 positions in January.