Media release from the Georgia Department of Labor:
The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced today that Georgia’s unemployment rate for December 2025 was 3.6%, up slightly from a revised 3.5% in November. December’s unemployment rate was 0.8 percentage point lower than the national unemployment rate. Georgia’s rate was 3.6% one year ago.
“In December, Georgia continued to add jobs for a second straight month, with the unemployment rate remaining well below the national average,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “That consistency matters as we head into 2026. We’re focused on strengthening the sectors driving job creation, preparing Georgians for in-demand careers, and turning job growth into real opportunity across the state.”
In December, jobs were up 5,000 over the month to 4,991,700 and were up 7,400 over the past 12 months. After three straight months of job losses, Georgia has now added jobs for two straight months.
The sectors reaching an all-time high for jobs in December 2025 were private education and health services, 737,500; and other services, 176,600.
In December, the sectors with the most over the month job gains included administrative and support services, 4,500; health care and social assistance, 2,000; non-durable Goods manufacturing, 1,000; local government, 1,000; and professional and technical services along with real estate and rental and leasing, 800 each.
Jobs were down over the month in retail trade, 2,000; accommodation and food services, 1,400; construction, 1,000; arts, entertainment, and recreation, 900; and finance and insurance along with management of companies, 600 each.
The sectors with the most job gains over the past year were health care and social assistance, 19,300; administrative and support services, 13,000; durable goods manufacturing, 6,000; private educational services, 3,800; and management of companies, 2,600.
Jobs were down over the year in transportation, warehousing, and utilities, 16,900; federal government, 12,100; information, 5,000; retail trade, 5,000; and wholesale trade, 1,800.
Georgia’s labor force increased by 11,328 to 5,412,470 in December and rose by 3,239 over the past year.
Employment rose by 8,162 to 5,219,749, an all-time high, and increased by 7,021 over the past 12 months.
Unemployment rose by 3,166 to 192,721 in December and was down 3,782 over the past year.
Initial claims were up 9,932 over the month to 26,651 in December and down 4,395 over the year.
For personalized assistance, employers can reach Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) staff at https://dol.georgia.gov/email-us. 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.
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