The economic performance of the New England states in 2003: an overview

Burdened by the poor performances of the labor markets in Connecticut and Massachusetts, the New England region lost jobs for the third year in a row. The region lost jobs in nearly all major industries and added jobs in only two: leisure & hospitality and education & health services. Even with an unemployment rate that rose, New England had a lower rate of joblessness than most other Census divisions and the nation overall. Demand for residential real estate remained strong, as home prices soared at above-average rates. Consumer price inflation persisted at a higher rate in the region than in the nation; fuel prices escalated at twice the national rate.