The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that unemployment dropped across Georgia’s 12 regional commissions in December.

“In December, more Georgians were working and unemployment dropped across every area in the state,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “Looking ahead in 2026, we remain committed to creating pathways to in-demand careers, supporting businesses with the talent they need, and making sure every Georgian can turn these employment gains into meaningful opportunity.”

Atlanta Regional Commission
The unemployment rate was down five-tenths to 3.4% over the month. One year ago, the rate was 3.3%. The labor force increased by 9,780 over the month and 11,312 over the year, reaching 2,709,296. The number of employed residents rose by 25,479 over the month and 9,839 over the year, totaling 2,618,396. Initial unemployment claims were up 1,674 over the month but down 699 from a year ago, totaling 9,421.

Central Savannah River
Unemployment fell seven-tenths to 4.0% over the month, compared with 4.3% a year ago. The labor force increased by 1,267 over the month and 3,247 over the year, to 210,953. Employment rose by 2,727 over the month and 3,747 over the year, totaling 202,580. Initial claims were up 555 over the month and down 486 over the year, totaling 1,303.

Coastal Georgia
The unemployment rate dropped seven-tenths to 3.0% over the month, compared with 2.9% a year ago. The labor force increased by 487 over the month and 2,473 over the year, reaching 356,996. Employment rose by 2,950 over the month and 2,198 over the year, to 346,381. Initial claims were up 345 over the month and 73 over the year, totaling 1,175.

Georgia Mountains
The unemployment rate decreased seven-tenths to 2.8%, unchanged from a year ago. The labor force fell by 691 over the month but rose by 4,225 over the year, reaching 245,133. The number of employed increased by 1,053 over the month and 4,145 over the year, totaling 238,300. Initial claims were up 515 over the month and 126 over the year, totaling 968.

Heart of Georgia
Unemployment dropped six-tenths to 3.6%, compared with 3.7% a year ago. The labor force increased by 221 over the month and 3,149 over the year, to 122,152. Employment rose by 978 over the month and 3,123 over the year, totaling 117,770. Initial claims increased by 1,356 over the month and 792 over the year, totaling 1,802.

Middle Georgia
The unemployment rate fell seven-tenths to 3.5%, unchanged from a year ago. The labor force rose by 438 over the month and 1,296 over the year, reaching 223,754. Employment increased by 2,063 over the month and 1,287 over the year, totaling 216,032. Initial claims were up 333 over the month and 66 over the year, totaling 923.

Northeast Georgia
Unemployment dropped seven-tenths to 3.1%, unchanged from a year ago. The labor force rose by 382 over the month and 3,538 over the year, reaching an all-time high of 352,618. Employment increased by 2,605 over the month and 3,185 over the year, totaling 341,544. Initial claims were up 289 over the month and down 629 over the year, totaling 993.

Northwest Georgia
The unemployment rate decreased eight-tenths to 3.1%, down from 3.6% a year ago. The labor force increased by 885 over the month and 3,180 over the year, reaching an all-time high of 459,957. Employment rose by 4,207 over the month and 5,363 over the year, also an all-time high of 445,548. Initial claims were up 5,227 over the month and 568 over the year, totaling 7,613.

River Valley
Unemployment fell eight-tenths to 3.9%, compared with 4.0% a year ago. The labor force increased by 98 over the month and 2,297 over the year, totaling 146,947. Employment rose by 1,196 over the month and 2,282 over the year, totaling 141,189. Initial claims were up 264 over the month and down 120 over the year, totaling 704.

Southern Georgia
The unemployment rate dropped eight-tenths to 3.4%, down from 3.9% a year ago. The labor force decreased by 45 over the month and increased by 849 over the year, to 177,673. Employment rose by 1,403 over the month and 1,794 over the year, totaling 171,649. Initial claims were up 569 over the month and down 711 over the year, totaling 1,155.

Southwest Georgia
The unemployment rate fell seven-tenths to 3.5%, unchanged from a year ago. The labor force increased by 69 over the month and 2,254 over the year, reaching 151,632. Employment rose by 1,149 over the month and 2,167 over the year, totaling 146,330. Initial claims were up 182 over the month and down 215 over the year, totaling 568.

Three Rivers
Unemployment decreased six-tenths to 3.2%, down from 3.3% a year ago. The labor force rose by 1,223 over the month and 1,913 over the year, reaching an all-time high of 271,290. Employment increased by 2,996 over the month and 2,288 over the year, totaling an all-time high of 262,732. Initial claims were up 556 over the month and down 205 over the year, totaling 1,543.