The New England unemployment rate declined to 6.9 percent in November, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

New England’s jobless rate was 7.2 percent one year ago and 7.1 percent in October. The rate sits just below the national rate, which was reported as 7 percent.

Rhode Island’s jobless rate was recorded at 9 percent, tying with Nevada for the highest unemployment rate in the nation. Vermont and New Hampshire posted jobless rates significantly below the national rate, at 4.4 percent and 5.1 percent, respectively. They were among 18 states in the country to do so.

Both Connecticut and Maine recorded unemployment rate decreases of 0.3 percent over the month. An additional 23 states and the District of Columbia recorded statistically significant jobless rate decreases over the month. Maine was the only New England state to record a statistically significant unemployment rate change over the year, down 0.8 percentage point.

New England is one of nine geographic divisions nationwide. The Pacific division reported the highest jobless rate for November at 8 percent. The West North Central division again registered the lowest unemployment rate, 4.9 percent.