Georgia maintained its 3.1% unemployment rate in February for the seventh consecutive month, according to Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson.
According to a press release from the state department of labor, the rate was five-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate of 3.6%.
In January, Georgia had the highest labor force participation rate in the southeast at 61%, as well as the highest employment-to-population ratio in the region at 59.1%.
“With consistently low unemployment and the southeast’s highest labor force participation rate, it is clear that Georgia means business,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “Due to sustained investments in the state’s economy and talented workforce, Georgia remains a top destination to live, work, and raise a family.”
Jobs were up by 3,200 (0.1%) over the month, and up by 135,100 (2.8%) over the year to 4,875,800, an all-time high. Job numbers were at an all-time high in private education and health services at 648,900 and leisure and hospitality at 510,900.
Jobs were down in professional, scientific and technical services, administrative and support services and durable goods manufacturing.
"Leisure and Hospitality, which lost 222,300 jobs during the pandemic, became the last private sector group to regain all jobs lost during the economic shutdown," the release reads. "The sector includes several subgroups that drive Georgia’s hospitality, food, and tourism industry, including restaurants and drinking establishments, traveler accommodations such as hotels and bed and breakfasts, arts and entertainment such as amusement, recreation, spectator sports, the performing arts, and museums."
Georgia's labor force increased for the fifth consecutive month by 9,201 to 5,248,532, the largest one-month increase since March 2022. The labor force participation rate increased by one-tenth to 61.1%.
Initial claims were down 19,123 (-45%) from January to 23,055 in February. Over the year, initial claims were up 978 (4%).
