Georgia’s unemployment rate fell to 7.4 percent in December from a revised 7.6 percent in November, as employers continued to add to their payrolls, the state department of labor said Thursday.
“The rate dropped primarily because 4,020 more Georgians were employed in December, mostly due to seasonal hiring in retail trade, transportation and warehousing,” state Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said in a statement. “And, I’m particularly pleased that we had some 90,000 more jobs this December than last, which is the best December job growth in eight years.”
Georgia had 4,094,100 jobs in December, an increase of 2.3 percent from December 2012 when the jobless rate was 8.7 percent.
Most of the gains came in professional and business services — 25,100 jobs; trade and transportation — 22,100; leisure and hospitality — 18,500; education and health services — 15,300; and construction — 9,900. Government shed 5,100 jobs in the past year.
The overall number of unemployed Georgians fell to 349,946 in December — down by 12,185 from November. That was the fewest number of unemployed Georgians since October 2008 when there were 346,852.
But the job market has not kicked into high gear. The number of new layoffs, represented by initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits, increased by 95 percent from November to December to reach 65,889.
Much of the increase was due to temporary claims filed in manufacturing, with additional seasonal claims in construction, administrative and support services, accommodations and food services, and trade and transportation.
Georgia continues to have a jobless rate above the national average, which is currently 6.7 percent.
About the Author
