Georgia's Unemployment Rate Falls in March

Marking eight consecutive months of declines, the March seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 9 percent according to figures released April 19 by the Georgia Department of Labor.

The rate is the lowest since the February 2009 rate of 8.9 percent and is eight-tenths of a percentage point lower than last March's rate of 9.8 percent.

“Georgia’s unemployment rate continues to trend downward,” State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said in a released statement, “and it’s important to recognize that it’s done so as the number of people in the labor force steadily increased. This indicates a growing optimism among unemployed workers that they will be able to land a job. In fact, Georgia employers have created 35,600 jobs in the past year."

According to the GDOL, 13,900 jobs were added in March, most of which (28,900) were in the professional and business services.

“I’m also encouraged that the number of new lay-offs continues to decline, reaching the lowest level since March four years ago,” Butler added.

First-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits fell 7.9 percent in March from the previous month and are down 15.2 percent from March of last year.

Follow the GDOL on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter @GeorgiaDOL or visit the GDOL website at www.dol.state.ga.us.

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