Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Southwest Georgia’s unemployment rate decreased in January.

“In January we saw the rate drop across all regions and counties,” said Commissioner of Labor Mark Butler. “Starting the year off strong with such a positive indicator is promising, especially as we learn to adapt to this everchanging workforce due to COVID.” 

In Southwest Georgia, the unemployment rate decreased by 0.8 percentage points, bringing the rate to 5.4 percent. A year ago, the rate was 4 percent.

The labor force increased in January by 1,728. The January total was 150,392. That number is down by 2,399 from the total from January 2020.

Southwest Georgia ended January with 142,278 employed residents.  The number increased by 2,826 in January but was down 4,388 as compared to last year.

 Initial claims for unemployment increased by 16 percent in January. When compared to last January, claims were up by about 243 percent.

The GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 2,498 active job postings in Southwest Georgia for January.

Visit gdol.ga.gov to learn more about career opportunities, Employ Georgia, and other GDOL services for job seekers and employers.  Don’t forget to connect with us on social media.

DATA FOR THE METRO AREAS ARE ATTACHED. TABLES AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT: http://dol.georgia.gov/current-labor-force-data-and-graphs

NEWS MEDIA NEEDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAN CALL (404) 232-3685.

THERE WILL BE NO AUDIO RECORDINGS THIS MONTH.