Georgia unemployment rate stayed flat last month

Georgia’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.4% in December for the fourth month in a row, the state Department of Labor reported Thursday.

The Peach State continued to outperform the nation, with the national jobless rate at 3.7%.

The December report capped a “blockbuster” year that saw the state continue to set employment records. The outlook for this year continues to be strong, Georgia Commissioner of Labor Bruce Thompson said.

“With existing companies continuing to expand and a stream of new companies calling Georgia home, 2024 appears to be headed for all-time highs again,” he said.

Georgia’s labor force rose by 2,864 last month to a record high of more than 5.36 million, while the labor force participation rate held at 61.6% for the third consecutive month.

The number of employed Georgians also rose by 4,804 in December to nearly 5.18 million, an all-time high.

The number of jobs declined slightly last month – by 0.1% – but posted a 2% increase throughout 2023.