Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that all Regional Commissions reported a rise in unemployment rates in May. “Despite an uptick in the unemployment rate, Georgia’s economy and job market remains red hot while the number of claims remains relatively low – especially compared to the national numbers,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “While one month does not signal a trend, my administration will continue to keep a close eye on the labor market to identify any new developments.”
In May, the labor force rose in all Regional Commissions.
Employment was up in the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, Heart of Georgia Regional Commission, Southern Georgia Regional Commission, and Southwest Georgia Regional Commission.
In May, initial unemployment claims decreased in the Atlanta Regional Commission, Coastal Georgia Regional Commission, Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, Heart of Georgia Regional Commission, and the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission.
Please see a synopsis of the Southern RegionalCommission below:
o-t-m – over the month
o-t-y – over the year
Southern Georgia Regional Commission – Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Tift, Turner, and Ware counties.
- The unemployment rate was up eight-tenths to 3.6 percent o-t-m, the rate was 3.0 percent one year ago.
- The labor force was up 2,190 o-t-m and down 193 o-t-y, to 181,979.
- The number of employed was up 668 o-t-m and down 1,422 o-t-y, to 175,359.
- Initial claims were up 65 (9%) o-t-m and up 259 (52%) o-t-y, to 762.