News Summary
Initial unemployment benefits in Georgia have increased to 4,489 for the week ending September 13, up from 4,196 claims the previous week. Despite this rise, Georgia’s unemployment rate remains steady at 3.4%. Nationwide, unemployment claims dropped to 231,000, with South Carolina experiencing a significant increase in claims. Georgia’s job market is growing overall, with notable gains in health care and hospitality sectors, but challenges persist in construction and professional services.
Atlanta, Georgia – Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Georgia have risen slightly, reaching 4,489 for the week ending September 13. This marks an increase from 4,196 claims the previous week. Despite this uptick, the state’s unemployment rate holds steady at 3.4% for August, consistent with the rate from July and notably lower than the national unemployment rate.
The U.S. Department of Labor also provided insights into nationwide employment trends, revealing that U.S. unemployment claims dropped to 231,000, reflecting a decrease of 33,000 claims from the prior total of 264,000. Interestingly, South Carolina saw the largest percentage increase in weekly claims in the country, with an alarming rise of 60.6%. In contrast, North Dakota experienced the largest percentage decrease in new claims, reporting a significant drop of 70.9%.
In Georgia, the labor market seeks stability with a total of 4,999,600 jobs recorded in August, an increase of 1,900 jobs since July. Over the last year, 32,300 new jobs have been added, predominantly in sectors that reached all-time highs, including health care and social assistance (627,200 jobs) and leisure and hospitality (521,200 jobs). Monthly job gains were particularly notable in retail trade (2,900), administrative and support services (1,800), and accommodation and food services (1,600).
Nevertheless, certain sectors are facing challenges, with job losses reported in construction (3,000), information (2,400), and professional and technical services (1,500) over the month. Throughout the past year, the state noted job gains in health care and social assistance by 25,100 and in administrative and support services by 7,400, despite losses in transportation, warehousing, and utilities (9,000) and federal government positions (2,600).
Despite the job growth, Georgia’s total labor force grew by 4,489 to 5,381,610 in August. In a year-over-year context, however, it declined by 34,227. On a positive note, employment numbers rose by 8,657 to 5,200,427, albeit down 17,782 from a year prior. The number of unemployed individuals also saw a drop of 4,168, settling at 181,183 in August, down by 16,445 over the past year.
August witnessed a decrease in initial unemployment claims by 6,109, totaling 18,621 claims. This figure stands 9.99% lower than the previous week and 19.85% lower than the same time last year. However, Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) continues to face hurdles in processing these claims, marked by increased call volumes leading to delays. GDOL’s capacity for service has been constrained by staffing shortages, a matter which surfaced during the pandemic when only 4% of calls were successfully answered.
In light of these challenges, GDOL has received $14 million in federal funding aimed at modernizing its unemployment insurance system, striving to improve efficiency and service capability. Despite these efforts, public feedback indicates that residents are still encountering difficulties in obtaining assistance and follow-up regarding their unemployment claims, exacerbating financial difficulties.
Georgia’s unemployment landscape illustrates a mix of growth in specific sectors and ongoing challenges in the labor market. While the state maintains a lower unemployment rate compared to the national average, the rising initial claims signal that many Georgians are still navigating the complexities of employment and support systems.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Savannah Now: Unemployment Numbers
- Wikipedia: Economy of Georgia (U.S. state)
- Valdosta Today: Georgia’s Unemployment Rate Holds Steady in August
- Google Search: Georgia unemployment rate
- Valdosta Today: New Study Finds Georgia Unemployment is Improving
- Google Scholar: Georgia unemployment trends
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Unemployment
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
