Georgia Experiences Unemployment Decrease

State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler has announced that Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined for the third straight month in December, dropping to 9.7 percent. That is a one-tenth of a percentage point decline from a revised 9.8 percent in November, making this the largest two-month decrease in unemployment since 1977. The jobless rate was 10.4 percent in December a year ago.

“The rate declined because 11,500 Georgians went back to work in December,” said Butler, “plus, we saw some increases in employment in areas that have been especially hard hit.”

There were 600 new construction jobs in December, the first time construction has gained jobs in December since 2003. Manufacturing grew by 400 jobs. Job gains also came in information services and trade and transportation.

Despite the increases, the overall number of jobs dropped 7,300, or two-tenths of a percentage point to 3,826,900 from 3,834,200 in November. The number of jobs in December remained 14,000 fewer than in December of last year.

The number of first-time claims for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits rose to 63,714, up 6,141, or 10.7 percent, from 57,573 in November. Some of the increase is attributed to traditional holiday layoffs. On a positive note, the number of initial claims decreased 11,921, or 15.8 percent, from 75,635 claims filed in December of last year.

“Working cooperatively with Commissioner Butler, we will do everything in our power to move Georgians from unemployment rolls to payrolls, creating a better quality of life for all those who call Georgia home,” said Gov. Nathan Deal.