Georgia's May unemployment rates set a historical record

Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate hit 9.7 percent in May, the highest unemployment rate in Georgia’s history, according to the Georgia Department of Labor. 

This is up by 0.5 percent since April within the state, and 0.3 percent higher than the national unemployment rate of 9.4 percent. At the same time last year, the unemployment rate in Georgia was at 5.9 percent, and May becomes the 19th consecutive month in which Georgia’s unemployment rate has been above the national rate.

“The increased number of unemployed workers in May included many discouraged workers who reentered the labor force. Last month, 463,883 unemployed Georgians were looking for work, an increase of 62 percent from May of 2008. Of that number, 157,544, or 34 percent, are receiving state unemployment insurance benefits, while approximately another 90,000 are receiving federal extended benefits.” source

Industries that have been affected the most include professional and business services, temporary employment agencies, warehousing, transportation, trade, construction and manufacturing. Only health care and education services saw employment increase totaling in 16,200 new jobs.

"Georgia's record unemployment rate of 9.7 percent is a stark reminder that the road to economic recovery will be long and difficult,” said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond.

To get information about unemployment benefits visit Georgia Department of Labor .