New Hampshire Employment Security’s (NHES) Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau released Vital Signs 2008 – Economic and Social Indicators for New Hampshire: 2003-2006. For 20 years the agency has selected the leading areas of the economy and tracked trends within each of them. This edition looks at 18 economic and social topics – everything from population to the environment. Within each of these areas there are tables tracking indicators over the four-year period. Each chapter gives a complete picture of the topic with graphs, charts, and analysis of trends. When possible, even more current data are offered.

Commissioner Richard Brothers says, “Vital Signs offers a complete economic picture of the State of New Hampshire. The state’s economists, as well as leaders in business and industry, education, and government will find this publication valuable.”

As we watch today’s economy, a look over the shoulder points to some of the emerging problems. In the chapter on Construction & Housing, 2006 indicators show a softening in housing permits and housing stock. Likewise, there are other indicators such as the decrease in the real estate transfer tax (Government Revenues and Expenditures) and an increase in the consumer loan delinquency rate (Finance and Banking). Other signs of a flagging economy are found in less fuel usage (Transportation & Traffic), a higher level of poverty (Social Assistance), and an uptick in weeks compensated for unemployment (Labor Force & Unemployment).

Other indicators show New Hampshire’s strengths. Exports to the world have been showing double-digit increases since 2003 (Production), wages in high tech continue to jump by hundreds of millions of dollars each year (Private Enterprise), and our per capita personal and disposable income ranks us 7th best in the nation (Income & Wages).

To view the entire publication, please visit our web site at www.nh.gov/nhes/elmi. If you have questions or comments, contact New Hampshire Employment Security’s Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau by calling (603) 228-4124 or by e-mail at elmi@nhes.nh.gov.

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