Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Southwest Georgia’s unemployment rate did not change from July to August as the labor force was up more than 500.

"Although we are seeing fewer unemployed individuals now than before the pandemic started, we are also still seeing a decreased total number of people in the workforce when compared to numbers recorded prior to the pandemic,” said Commissioner Mark Butler. “This will continue to cause a hiring crunch until we can attract more people back to the workforce to fill the record number of job openings.”

In Southwest Georgia, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.6 percent in August. A year ago, the rate was 6.6 percent.

The labor force increased in August by 542 to 146,443. That number is up 3,783 over-the-year.

Southwest Georgia ended August with 141,180 employed residents.  The number increased by 528 in August and was up 7,998 as compared to last year.

Initial claims for unemployment decreased 3 percent in August. When compared to last August, claims were down about 76 percent.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at employgeorgia.com showed 1,691 active job postings in Southwest Georgia for August.

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.

TABLES AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT: https://dol.georgia.gov/current-labor-force-data-and-graphs

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