UNEMPLOYMENT TO SHRINK SLIGHTLY

About half of the nation will see a slight improvement in the unemployment rate during 1992, according to a recent survey of state employment security offices.

Findings from the survey reveal that Southern states are most optimistic about job growth during 1992, projecting a growth rate of about 1.2 percent. Northeastern states forecast a decrease in jobs of about 0.5 percent. Only four states reported that their unemployment rates either stayed the same or declined from 1990 to 1991. No state forecasts a reduction in unemployment.