Unemployment rate, January 2008-January 2009 Percent 2008 Jan 4.9 Feb 4.8 Mar 5.1 Apr 5.0 May 5.5 Jun 5.6 Jul 5.8 Aug 6.2 Sep 6.2 Oct 6.6 Nov 6.8 Dec 7.2 2009 Jan 7.6