Unemployment May Signal Less Debt For Americans

In recent months, unemployment numbers in the U.S. have continued to hover at or near 10 percent, as Americans struggle with debt, bankruptcy and other economic woes.

However, despite the rise in the most recent unemployment statistics, weekly unemployment insurance claims are falling.

For the week ending December 4, the advance figure for initial claims was 421,000, according to the Employment and Training Administration's latest report. If the numbers hold through their adjustments, it would represent a 17,000 decrease from the previous week's revised figures.

Additionally, the insured unemployment rate was found to be 3.2 percent for the week ending November 27, the report said. This was a 0.2 percentage point decline from the previous week's statistics. Extended benefits were also available to Americans in most states during this period.

Experts say declines in initial claims could mean good things for the economy and consumers, who may be suffering from less debt and finding more jobs. However, others say this may mean more unemployed people have simply maxed out their eligibility for such programs.