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First-time unemployment filings in Pennsylvania are trending downward, offering a modest sign of stability for workers across the state.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, new jobless claims in Pennsylvania fell to 9,409 for the week ending Saturday (March 14), down from 11,098 the week before — a drop of more than 1,600 filings. That decline followed an earlier rise, when claims climbed to 11,043 for the week ending Saturday (March 7), up from 9,806 the prior week, as reported by the Labor Department.
The two-week trend still points in a positive direction for Pennsylvania workers, with the state recording its second consecutive week of falling new claims as of the most recent data available.
Nationally, the picture has also improved. The Labor Department reported that U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 205,000 for the week ending Saturday (March 14), down 8,000 from 213,000 the week prior on a seasonally adjusted basis.
Not every state shared Pennsylvania's good news. Kentucky saw the largest percentage jump in new weekly claims, with filings surging 189.6%. Missouri, on the other hand, recorded the sharpest decline, with new claims falling 53.2%, according to Forever Cumberland.
New jobless claims are considered a proxy for layoffs and are closely watched as an indicator of the overall health of the labor market. The Labor Department releases updated weekly claims data each Thursday.