The Georgia Department of Labor released figures indicating that the state's unemployment rate for November 2025 was 3.5%, showing a slight increase from September's revised rate of 3.4%. Despite this uptick, the rate stayed 1.1 percentage points lower than the national average. This statistical release revealed an uptrend from the previous year, when the unemployment rate in Georgia stood at 3.6%. According to the Georgia Department of Labor, data for October 2025 could not be provided due to the federal government shutdown impacting federal appropriations.
Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes commented on the state's economic standing and future plans. "In November, Georgia's unemployment rate remains more than a full point below the national average, and we're seeing job growth in sectors that matter most to hardworking Georgians," she said. "As we head into 2026, we're staying focused on what keeps Georgia competitive: Preparing workers, supporting businesses, and delivering opportunity across our state," as mentioned on the Georgia Department of Labor website. These sectors include private education and health services, which reached an all-time high of 735,600 jobs, and leisure and hospitality at 524,900 jobs.
Looking at the numbers, Georgia's job market saw an increase of 1,000 jobs over the month to 4,987,500, and saw an annual rise by 16,300. Notably, job gains were observed in accommodation and food services, health care and social assistance, arts, entertainment, and recreation, state government, and management of companies. However, reductions were seen in federal government positions, administrative and support services, construction, retail trade, and finance and insurance. A broader annual perspective showed significant increases in health care and social assistance jobs, with other sectors like accommodation and food services, arts, entertainment & recreation, and durable goods manufacturing also experiencing growth. On the downside, industries such as transportation, warehousing, utilities, and the federal government witnessed a drop in jobs over the past year.
The state's labor force made a noticeable increase in November, adding 13,973 to 5,401,357, although it declined slightly over the past year. The number of employed Georgians rose modestly by 5,925 to 5,211,726 yet saw a small drop over the 12-month period. In contrast, unemployment figures went up by 8,048 to 189,631 in November, but interestingly, this number was actually down from the previous year. Initial claims fell by 2,755 over the month to 16,719, marking a decrease from the same period a year prior. Those looking for employment assistance or employers seeking staff can approach the Georgia Department of Labor, which offers services such as the MyUI Claimant Portal and statewide Career Centers.
For further information on the job market and labor force statistics, the Georgia LaborMarket Explorer offers a detailed report. Employers and claimants alike can find personalized assistance through various channels provided by the GDOL. Should anyone require immediate information on unemployment benefits, they can contact the dedicated helpline or visit the online Claimant Portal.
