Unemployment In Washington On Downward Trend

OLYMPIA, WA — Unemployment is on the decline in Washington state.

According to the latest unemployment data from the Washington Employment Security Department, new unemployment claims dropped 13% over the week ending Feb. 13. Similarly, recurring unemployment claims also dropped 7.3%.

The decrease builds on a trend that started in late January. Since the week ending Jan. 30, Washington has seen more than 42,000 fewer total weekly unemployment claims.

The improvement is closely linked with the state's recent decision to begin reopening the economy. At the end of January, 7 Washington counties were allowed to enter Phase 2 of Gov. Inslee's Healthy Washington plan. The second phase allows several benefits, including the return of indoor dining, gyms, museums, and live entertainment.

In the weeks since, the entire state has been allowed to enter Phase 2, and the change is showing in the state's unemployment data: the ESD says the decline in unemployment is tied to reduced layoffs in the retail, accommodation, and food services industries. Health care and social assistance workers have also seen improvements recently.

As a result, right now new unemployment claims are only 19% higher than they were at the same time last year, before the pandemic had begun in earnest.

That said, there is still significant work to be done: total unemployment claims remain twice as high as the start of the pandemic.