Georgia’s unemployment rate stood at 3.6% in December 2025, according to data released by the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL). This marks a slight increase from the revised rate of 3.5% in November, but it remains 0.8 percentage points lower than the national average for the same period. The state’s unemployment rate was also 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.”
Georgia added 5,000 jobs in December, bringing total employment to 4,991,700. Over the past year, jobs increased by 7,400. After three consecutive months of job losses earlier in the year, this is now the second month of job growth.
Sectors that reached all-time highs for employment in December included private education and health services at 737,500 jobs and Other Services at 176,600.
Among sectors showing monthly gains were administrative and support services (up by 4,500 jobs), health care and social assistance (2,000), non-durable goods manufacturing (1,000), local government (1,000), professional and technical services (800), and real estate and rental and leasing (800).
Some industries experienced declines over the month: retail trade lost 2,000 jobs; accommodation and food services dropped by 1,400; construction fell by 1,000; arts, entertainment, and recreation decreased by 900; while finance and insurance along with management of companies each saw reductions of 600 positions.
Year-over-year gains were seen in 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). However, transportation/warehousing/utilities (-16,900), federal government (-12,100), information (-5,000), retail trade (-5,000), and wholesale trade (-1,800) recorded annual declines.
Georgia’s labor force expanded by over eleven thousand to reach more than five million four hundred thousand people in December. Employment hit an all-time high at more than five million two hundred thousand. Unemployment increased by just over three thousand during the month but was nearly four thousand lower compared to last year.
Initial claims for unemployment insurance rose by nearly ten thousand over November’s total but remained down more than four thousand from December last year.
Employers seeking assistance can contact GDOL staff online at https://dol.georgia.gov/email-us. Information about unemployment benefits is available through phone or via claimants’ MyUI Claimant Portal. In-person support is provided statewide at GDOL Career Centers.
Comprehensive reports on jobs and labor force data are available through Georgia LaborMarket Explorer.
