Southwest Alaska’s unemployment rate declined sharply in January as the major fishing seasons kicked into gear.

In December, the Aleutians East Borough had the highest unemployment rate in the state at 26.5 percent.  In January, that rate was halved, down to 11.8 percent.  Other parts of the region had even lower unemployment rates in January, with the Aleutians West Census Area, including Unalaska, reaching 7.7 percent - lower than the statewide average.

Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for the state were down even further, making it the third January in a row that Alaska’s unemployment rate has been lower than the nation’s.