Answer based on context:

In 2003, "Appalachian" Tennessee&mdash; which included all of East Tennessee and the easternmost counties in Middle Tennessee&mdash; had a three-year average unemployment rate of 4.9%, compared with 5.6% statewide and 5.5% nationwide.  In 2002, Appalachian Tennessee had a per capita market income of $19,936, compared with $20,422 statewide and $26,420 nationwide.  In 2000, Appalachian Tennessee had a poverty rate of 14.2%, compared to 13.6% statewide and 12.4% nationwide. In 2014, ten East Tennessee counties&mdash; Bledsoe, Campbell, Cocke, Greene, Hancock, Johnson, Meigs, Monroe, Scott, and Van Buren&mdash; were designated "distressed," while eleven&mdash; Carter, Claiborne, Cumberland, Grainger, Jefferson, McMinn, Morgan, Polk, Rhea, Unicoi, and Union&mdash; were designated "at-risk."  No counties in East Tennessee were given the "competitive" or "attainment" designations, and the remaining 12 counties were designated "transitional". Hancock had East Tennessees highest poverty rating, with 29.4% of its residents living below the poverty line. Knox had East Tennessees highest per capita income ($25,999) and the lowest unemployment rate (2.8%), although Hamilton was a close second on both of these indicators.

How many percent higher was the Appalachian Tennessee unemployment rate than the nationwide average?
1.8