The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Georgia reached new all-time highs in both its labor force (5,480,790) and employment (5,301,774) in July, and that the state's unemployment rate declined to 3.3%. Georgia's unemployment rate remains 0.8 percentage points below the national rate. One year ago, the state's unemployment rate was 3.3%.

"Georgians are working at the highest levels of employment and labor force participation in our state's history," said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. "A record like this is not a finish line; it is a responsibility to make sure every Georgian has the opportunity to get ahead and experience the dignity of work."

In July, Georgia's labor force increased by 2,941 to 5,480,790, an all-time high, and rose by 67,210 over the past year.

Employment rose by 7,556 to an all-time high of 5,301,774 and was up 68,807 over the past year.

Unemployment declined by 4,615 to 179,016 and was down 1,597 over the past 12 months.

In July, jobs were down 9,200 over the month to 4,977,500 and were down 15,700 over the year. Jobs in Georgia are down over the month for the second straight month.

The sectors with the most over-the-month job gains were health care and social assistance, 1,600; construction, 1,100; information, 800; durable goods manufacturing, 700; and private educational services, 600.

Jobs were down over the month in local government, 2,000; administrative and support services, 1,900; accommodation and food services, 1,600; professional and technical services, 1,500; and non-durable goods manufacturing, 1,300.

The sectors with the most job gains over the past year were health care and social assistance, 20,700; durable goods manufacturing, 2,900; private educational services, 1,900; real estate and rental and leasing, 600; other services, 100; and information, 100.

Jobs were down over the year in professional and technical services, 11,500; federal government, 9,800; finance and insurance, 4,100; retail trade, 3,800; and construction, 3,200.

Initial claims increased by 1,388 over the month to 20,150 in July and were down 4,677 over the year.

Contact Georgia Department of Labor Communications Office
[email protected]
(404) 232-3685
Media Contact: Chief Communications Officer, Shawna Mercer
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 678-350-6878

For personalized assistance, employers can reach Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) staff at https://dol.georgia.gov/employeremail.

For more information on unemployment benefits, claimants should call 877.709.8185 or visit their MyUI Claimant Portal. GDOL's Career Centers also provide in-person unemployment insurance benefit services for customers statewide.

For more information on jobs and current labor force data, visit Georgia LaborMarket Explorer to view a comprehensive report.