New York State – the land of unemployment benefit claims. A recent study has revealed the states with the highest rates of unemployment benefits claims. It seems New York is holding its own...which isn't exactly a good thing.

New Jersey takes the crown for the highest rate of claims, with California and Rhode Island close behind, while New York finds itself in the seventh spot. According to the study, New York had 1,737 unemployment benefits claims for every 100,000 eligible workers during a specific period in 2024.

With a total of 161,859 unemployment claims reported from a working population of 9,318,874, New York State had nearly 2% (1.74%) of workers looking for unemployment benefits. It may not be leading the pack, but it's clear that New Yorkers are not immune to the challenges of the job market.

On the flip side, Kansas seems to have the lowest rate of unemployment benefit claims.  They only have 325 claims per 100,000 residents, Kansas stands out with a mere 0.33% of the working population reaching out for unemployment support.

The data shows the economic realities across states, and the different experiences of workers that are in the job market in the US. From New York to Kansas, each state has its own employment struggles.

As we move forward, it'll be interesting to see how these numbers change and what it means for the workforce in different corners of the country. Whether you're in the Empire State or the Sunflower State, the search for stable employment remains a common thread that brings all of us together.

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Counties with the highest unemployment in New York

Stacker compiled a list of the counties with the highest unemployment in New York using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Counties are ranked by unemployment rate in June.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

New Yorkers' Top Work Worries

Despite the adage "If you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere," a recent survey discovered that New York employees are struggling with various job-related anxieties. These are the top worries of working New Yorkers.

Gallery Credit: Traci Taylor

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