NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee's unemployment rate for December was 6.6 percent, two-tenths of one percentage point lower than the previous month.

Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips said the November rate was 6.8 percent.

The national rate for December was 5.6 percent, also a two-tenths drop from the prior month.

State figures show that nonfarm employment increased by 12,500 jobs from November to December.

The largest increases occurred in trade/transportation/utilities, manufacturing, and mining/logging/construction.