JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's unemployment rate hits its highest mark in 25 years, increasing by more than half a point to 7.3 percent in December.

Jobless numbers released Friday by the state Department of Economic Development show that 2008 was a difficult year for workers. The state lost 26,500 jobs during the year, which includes 9,500 in transportation manufacturing and 4,700 in financial activities.

In December, Missouri's unemployment hit its highest mark since April 1984, climbing from 6.7 percent in November.

Last month, the state shed 1,600 jobs, including 2,500 in the manufacturing sector. But that was partially buoyed by the addition of 2,000 jobs in the private education, health care and social assistance sector.