Georgia's July unemployment rate inches up slightly

(The Center Square) — Georgia's July unemployment rate was 3.4%, up slightly from June's revised 3.3% but below the national unemployment rate of 4.3%.

Despite having five million people in the workforce, the state's top labor official says more jobs are needed to keep the Peach State's unemployment rate low.

"Georgia's labor force is larger and more dynamic than ever," Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said in a statement. "Our challenge—and our opportunity—is to partner with the business community to create jobs that meet the evolving needs of hardworking Georgians. With over 5 million workers, we have the talent. Now, we need more jobs to keep unemployment low and transform that talent into lasting success."

The Empire State of the South's labor force participation rate increased to 61.8% in July, up from 61.7% in June, and officials said the rate was the highest level since February 2021. While the rate is higher than it was amid the pandemic, it has steadily decreased over the past 15 years and has lagged the national rate, which stood at 62.7% in July.

"Georgia remains attractive to new and growing employers as well as new residents to fill the jobs they're creating," Kyle Wingfield, president and CEO of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, said in a statement to The Center Square.

"While this growth may create some challenges, from higher demand for new housing units to greater usage of our roads, we'd rather face these challenges than the problems of stagnation," Wingfield added. "It's vital that we protect and expand upon the solid foundation of sound public policy that we have put in place, so that we can keep Georgia working well into the future."

Growing Georgia's workforce has been a hot topic for state leaders. During this year's latest legislative session, Georgia lawmakers passed several measures that proponents said will strengthen the state's workforce.

The measures include House Bill 880 , which allows military members' spouses to use an existing license from a professional licensing board issued in another state or United States territory in Georgia if it is in good standing, and HB 982 requires the State Workforce Development Board to publish a "High-Demand Career List" annually. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed both measures into law.