By KRWG News
New Mexico – New Mexico's unemployment rate hit 8.3 percent in December, up from November's 7.8 percent rate and the 4.7 percent rate of December 2008.
The state's unemployment rate currently is at a 22-year high.
New Mexico lost 4,800 jobs in December. State labor officials say that could indicate reduced holiday season hiring.
The state Department of Workforce Solutions says the job growth for the year, compared to the previous year, registered a minus 3.1 percent, which represents a loss of 25,900 jobs.
New Mexico ranked 28th highest among the states at a time when all 50 states reported job losses.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.