Georgia’s Unemployment Rate Declines to 3.4%

Atlanta, Georgia – The unemployment rate in Georgia has dropped to 3.4% as of July 2025, down from 3.5% in June 2025. This marks a significant improvement, as Georgia’s unemployment rate remains notably lower than the national average of 4.2%. The latest figures indicate a continuing trend of growth in the state’s labor market and employment opportunities.

The decrease in the unemployment rate is reflected in the number of unemployed individuals, which fell by 970 to a total of 185,351 Georgians seeking work. Additionally, Georgia’s labor force expanded with an increase of 732 individuals, reaching nearly 5.4 million. The employed population in Georgia experienced a positive shift, rising by 1,702 to nearly 5.2 million.

In terms of jobless claims, the state reported a decline with applications for unemployment benefits dropping to 4,402 during the week ending August 23, down from 4,710 in the previous week. Despite a rise in initial jobless claims overall for July, which increased by 5,073 to a total of 24,730, there was a year-over-year decrease of 2,535 initial claims, suggesting that the job market is stabilizing compared to the previous year.

Sector Performance Overview

Throughout July, various job sectors in Georgia displayed a mixed performance. The health care and social assistance sector achieved a record high with 625,500 jobs, contributing to an overall addition of 2,800 jobs in that category. Other sectors witnessing gains included durable goods manufacturing, which added 2,700 jobs, and construction, with an increment of 2,100 jobs.

Conversely, the accommodation and food services sector experienced a sharp decline, losing 4,500 jobs, while the transportation, warehousing, and utilities sector lost about 1,400 jobs. The overall number of jobs in the state decreased slightly by 500 from the previous month but exhibited a solid annual increase of 26,900 jobs, reflecting ongoing economic recovery.

Regional Insights

Specifically, in Gordon County, the preliminary figures indicated a concerning rise in initial unemployment claims, climbing from 127 in June to 349 in July. This spike signals localized challenges within the job market that may need to be addressed by community support and economic policies.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The Georgia Commissioner of Labor reported that an increasing number of Georgians are entering the workforce and finding employment, highlighting a promising trend of improvement that has persisted for two consecutive months. As the state continues to enhance its labor market conditions, focus on sector-specific challenges may help in maintaining stability and growth in the economy, ensuring that the state can continue to build on this positive momentum.