Characteristics of the Insured Unemployed

Characteristics of the Insured Unemployed
October 2009
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In October 2009, 24 percent of Rhode Island’s unemployed workers were eligible to collect Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. Numbering 16,738 people, these "insured unemployed" accounted for 3.4 percent of the State’s total employed (unadjusted). More than 36 percent (6,074) of the Ocean State’s insured unemployed faced long-term unemployment, defined as collecting unemployment benefits for more than fourteen weeks.

Nearly 23 percent (3,817) of the people receiving UI benefits were between the ages of 35 and 44, while 25.0 percent (4,188) were 45 to 54 years old. Nearly 44 percent of all insured unemployed workers 60 years and older had been collecting benefits for at least fourteen weeks, while 26.9 percent of those under 22 years of age and 30.0 percent of 22 to 24 years old were considered long-term unemployed.

In October, 40.0 percent (6,692) of those collecting UI benefits had just a high school diploma. An additional 1,905 people (11.4%) had less than a high school diploma, while 22.9 percent (3,825) of the insured unemployed had at least a Bachelor’s degree. More than 38 percent of insured unemployed workers with less than a high school diploma had been collecting benefits for a minimum of fourteen weeks, while more than 33 percent of those with at least a Bachelor’s degree were also considered long-term unemployed.

On an industry basis, 17.7 percent (2,967) of the State’s insured unemployed workers came from the Manufacturing sector. There were also 2,446 individuals with an attachment to the Construction sector, accounting for 14.6 percent of all insured unemployed workers. An additional 9.6 percent (1,605) of those collecting UI benefits in October had worked in the Health Care & Social Assistance sector. Large numbers of insured unemployed were also reported in Retail Trade (1,414), Administrative & Waste Services (1,350) and Accommodation & Food Services (1,084).

Those previously employed in Office & Administrative Support occupations accounted for 15.6 percent (2,615) of the State’s insured unemployed. A large number of workers previously employed in Production (2,083), Construction & Extraction (973), Sales & Related (947) and Transportation & Material Moving (886) occupations also collected UI benefits in October. Numerous occupational groups reported concentrations of long-term unemployment above the state average, including Community & Social Services (46.0%), Education, Training & Library (44.8%), Healthcare Practitioner & Technical (41.6%) and Sales & Related (41.5%).

Characteristics of the Insured Unemployed, October 2009
	Total	Long-Term	Percent Long-Term
Total	16,738	6,074	36.3%
Male	9,318	3,002	32.2%
Female	7,420	3,072	41.4%

Age	16,738	6,074	36.3%
Under 22	501	135	26.9%
22 - 24	889	267	30.0%
25 - 34	3,613	1,175	32.5%
35 - 44	3,817	1,377	36.1%
45 - 54	4,188	1,553	37.1%
55 - 59	1,681	674	40.1%
60 - 64	1,205	519	43.1%
65 or over	844	374	44.3%

Education	16,738	6,074	36.3%
Less than 9th Grade	542	188	34.7%
9th to 12th, no diploma	1,363	443	32.5%
High School Graduate	6,692	2,377	35.5%
Some College	3,521	1,310	37.2%
Bachelor's Degree	1,876	729	38.9%
Beyond Bachelor's	1,949	730	37.5%

Selected Industries	16,738	6,074	36.3%
Construction	2,446	522	21.3%
Manufacturing	2,967	1,253	42.2%
Wholesale Trade	739	327	44.2%
Retail Trade	1,414	545	38.5%
Transportation & Warehousing	441	148	33.6%
Information	332	153	46.1%
Finance & Insurance	891	412	46.2%
Real Estate	323	129	39.9%
Professional & Tech. Services	916	368	40.2%
Administrative & Waste Services	1,350	399	29.6%
Educational Services	664	289	43.5%
Health Care & Social Assistance	1,605	687	42.8%
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation	266	54	20.3%
Accommodation & Food Services	1,084	352	32.5%
Other Services	595	193	32.4%
Public Administration	144	70	48.6%

Selected Occupations	16,738	6,074	36.3%
Business & Financial Operations	582	232	39.9%
Computer & Mathematical	230	84	36.5%
Architecture & Engineering	256	97	37.9%
Life, Physical & Social Science	99	39	39.4%
Community & Social Services	213	98	46.0%
Legal	69	23	33.3%
Education, Training & Library	607	272	44.8%
Arts, Design, Ent., Sports & Media	250	89	35.6%
Healthcare Practitioner & Technical	250	104	41.6%
Healthcare Support	327	114	34.9%
Protective Service	154	60	39.0%
Food Preparation & Serving Related	857	285	33.3%
Bldg. & Grounds Cleaning & Maint.	286	82	28.7%
Personal Care & Service	346	136	39.3%
Sales & Related	947	393	41.5%
Office & Administrative Support	2,615	1,052	40.2%
Construction & Extraction	973	237	24.4%
Installation, Maintenance & Repair	489	168	34.4%
Production	2,083	803	38.6%
Transportation & Material Moving	886	313	35.3%