Unemployment has been a huge problem in America for the past few years and despite governmental attempts at intervention the situation remains largely unchanged. Typically, over the holiday season the unemployment rate tends to rise because of seasonal hiring. Sadly for 21 states the holiday season has had no effect on the plunging unemployment rates. In fact, those 21 states actually saw an increase in the number of unemployed residents in November 2010.

Despite the increase in 21 states in November, the Labor Department did report a decline in unemployed residents in 15 states. The Labor department also reported that 14 states unemployment rate remained steady. Currently the overall national rate is up about .2 percent to 9.8 percent, which is relatively similar to what it was last year at this time.

The states that are struggling the worst with unemployment right now would include Georgia, Idaho and Colorado. Georgia’s unemployment rate was 9.8 percent and currently it’s 10.1 percent. Idaho is up to 9.4 percent from 9.1 percent. Colorado was 8.4 percent and currently it is 8.6 percent.

A number of states saw an improvement in their unemployment numbers recently. Those states would include Michigan, Pennsylvania, Alabama and South Carolina. Michigan was at 14.4 percent a year ago and now is at 12.4 percent. Pennsylvania is down from 8.8 percent to 8.6 percent. Alabama went from 10.9 percent a year ago to 9 percent this year. South Carolina went from 12.3 percent last year to 10.6 percent this year.

For some, these numbers are promising for others they are bleak. While analyst watch the numbers intently the unemployed worry about the longevity of their benefits and whether or not they will in fact find steady employment before their benefits run out. For those who have already been booted from unemployment benefits the news of unemployment numbers fluctuating is just another reminder of their struggle.