Peach Tree Times

Georgia's unemployment rate reached a record low of 3% in May, just two years after reaching record-high levels.

This comes as Georgia Department of Labor commissioner Mark Butler told FOX 5 Atlanta that additional workers will be scarce unless those who have chosen not to work decide they want to re-enter the workforce or more people move into the state.

"As the state continues to experience a very tight labor market, as evidenced by our low unemployment rate, our focus has been on encouraging more individuals to re-enter the workforce," he told FOX 5.

The number of jobs in Georgia reached a record 4,782,400 in the month of May, which is 244,100 more than May 2021. Georgia's employed population also reached an all-time high in May. 

Food service and support service industries had the biggest job gains year-over-year, and trade and transportation industry jobs reached a record level at 1,012,000. 

A recent Pew Research survey studied the driving factors behind Americans leaving their jobs in 2021, the FOX 5 report said. The survey found that low-wage workers were the most likely to quit their jobs. At that time, Pew reported 63% of respondents said low pay was a major factor in leaving, and the same amount also identified a lack of advancement opportunities.