COLUMBIA, S.C. - New U.S. Census figures show the ranks of South Carolina employees shrank at a faster rate than most other states between 1998 and 2003.

The figures show South Carolina's full-time state work force dropped by 2,747 people during that five-year period, a 3.4 percent decline. Most of the losses came after 2001 while the state's budget suffered repeated cuts as officials tried to head off deficits.

Only Iowa and Louisiana lost workers at a faster rate, 8.2 percent and 4.4 percent respectively.

State figures show larger job losses. On Friday, 62,444 people had full-time state jobs, according to the South Carolina Budget and Control Board, that's 6,334, or 9 percent, fewer than the beginning of 2001. Those figures don't include several freestanding agencies, such as Santee Cooper or the Medical University of South Carolina.

The lean job prospects South Carolina's workers face may reflect a tough attitude on state spending and a sharp downturn in the economy.

For instance, Gov. Mark Sanford's "goal is always going to be to run government more efficiently," said his spokesman Will Folks. He cited estimates that show total government employment - including local governments and school districts - grew to 102,800 in 2004 from 100,800 in 1999.

State leaders "just believe in less government and have had a concerted effort in reducing the number of state employees," said Broadus Jamerson, executive director of the South Carolina State Employees Association.

While the state's tight budget created problems, Jamerson said, "the overall attitude is to reduce government."

Reductions were particularly harsh in some areas. For instance, only four other states had greater percentage losses among prison workers than South Carolina and only three lost more people in financial and administration jobs such as accountants and tax collectors.

South Carolina moved down in national rankings for how many state workers there are for every 10,000 residents, the Census figures show. In 1998, South Carolina ranked 12th, but slipped to 17th in 2003.

The per capita rankings also show South Carolina has 7.6 state police officers for every 10,000 residents. Only two states - Delaware and Massachusetts - have more.

If government is providing the services required with fewer people, that's not a problem, Folks said. "State government shouldn't exist simply to create jobs that aren't necessary," he said.