New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s labor force grew in 2024. Will it continue? – NH Business Review
After expanding just 0.2% in 2023, New Hampshire’s labor force grew 1.3% in 2024, according to recently published data from New Hampshire Employment Security. That is the fastest growth rate in the number of people working or actively looking for work since 2018, and faster than the 2010-2019 average of 0.6%.
The total labor force was an estimated 771,600 Granite State residents, with about 751,600 employed. Estimates from late 2024 and the first two months of this year suggest the number of people working or looking for work has continued to grow. The unemployment rate was 3% in February 2025, the first month that, outside the COVID-19 pandemic’s unemployment spike, the state’s estimated unemployment rate has been at or above 3% since December 2015.
Data suggests employers can more easily find workers now than three years ago. Just before the pandemic, the number of job openings in New Hampshire per unemployed person seeking work was 1.9, and it peaked at 3.5 jobs per person in early 2022. Since that time, the number of jobs per unemployed worker has declined, dropping below pre-pandemic levels to an estimated 1.6 in January 2025.
If the state’s workforce constraint has become less severe, demographics suggest the easing may be short-lived, barring a significant recession or other major economic event. About 31% of New Hampshire’s labor force is 55 or older, and 9.2% are 65 or older. The state does not currently have a younger population large enough to fill all the jobs left by the retirements that may come in the next decade.
Other constraints have reduced the extent to which people can participate in the workforce, or afford to move into the state. In 2024, an average of 17,300 people said they were not working because they were caring for a child who was not in school or child care. The median purchase price for a single-family house continues to hover above half a million dollars. Median two-bedroom rental costs increased 36% from 2019 to 2024.
With more deaths than births every year since 2017, New Hampshire relies on domestic and international migration to support workforce growth. Employers might have an easier time finding new employees in 2025 than they did in 2022, but the long-term trajectory suggests more labor force supports, such as enhanced access to education across all ages, may be needed to sustain a vibrant economy.
The federal government has activated the New Hampshire National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing in connection with the war with Iran.
“I’ve had a briefing myself, a classified briefing, but it’s really important on the messaging on this that we really coordinate with the Pentagon,” Gov. Kelly Ayotte told reporters during a press briefing following Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting.
Ayotte said she was unable to share additional details about the nature of the New Hampshire National Guard’s activity related to the conflict, including how many guard members have been activated or what role they are playing.
“We’re going to respect what messaging comes out of the Pentagon just to make sure that our men and women in uniform are fully protected and that we aren’t providing any information that could be used in a way that would be harmful to them,” Ayotte said.
In a statement Thursday, Ayotte said the unit had been deployed in late February to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of the operation.
Earlier this week, Pentagon officials confirmed that members of the Vermont National Guard were involved in attacks against Iran over the weekend, though our news partners at Vermont Public were not able to confirm additional details on the nature of the operation.
During the briefing with local reporters, Ayotte also stressed her support for servicemembers and those close to them.
“I have such respect for our men and women in uniform,” Ayotte said. “As you know, I come from a military family, and they have our full support, and we appreciate them and their families, and obviously anyone who is serving right now, and my thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost someone that they love.”
By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment.
He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads.
The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
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