Georgia jobless rate rises for a fourth month in August

Georgia's unemployment rate has risen for the fourth month in a row, reaching 3. 6% in August, up from 3. 4% in July and significantly higher than the 3. 2% rate from August 2023. This increase has led to over 190,000 Georgians reporting unemployment, the highest level seen in three years.

The data indicates that although the number of employed individuals is gradually increasing, the rate of new job seekers entering the workforce is outpacing job creation. Employer payrolls in the state remained stable at around 4. 98 million workers, showing little change from July but reflecting a 70,000 increase year-over-year. In contrast, the national unemployment rate fell to 4. 2%, down from 4.

3% in July and 3. 8% a year ago. The Georgia Department of Labor released these numbers, which have been seasonally adjusted to provide a clearer picture of employment trends. Additionally, about 5,100 workers in Georgia filed for new unemployment benefits in the week ending September 14, with approximately 29,000 individuals collecting state unemployment benefits by the following week. This data underscores the ongoing challenges in Georgia's job market, even as the national landscape appears to be improving.