The unemployment rate for Americans with disabilities declined as 2013 came to a close, the government said Friday, but largely because many people stopped looking for work.

The jobless rate dipped to 11.9 percent in December for those with disabilities, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor. That’s down from 12.3 percent the month prior.

The decrease came as fewer people with disabilities were employed and many gave up on the workforce altogether.

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Similar trends were seen in the general population in December with unemployment falling to 6.7 percent, down from 7 percent, as less people sought work and just 74,000 jobs were added to the economy.

Federal officials began tracking employment among people with disabilities in October 2008. There is not yet enough data compiled to establish seasonal trends among this population, so statistics for this group are not seasonally adjusted.

Data on people with disabilities covers those over the age of 16 who do not live in institutions. The first employment report specific to this population was made available in February 2009. Now, reports are released monthly.

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