From December 2024 to March 2025, private-sector establishments in Georgia experienced a net employment loss of 7,542 jobs, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Gross job losses from closing and contracting businesses totaled 238,711, while gross job gains from opening and expanding businesses reached 231,169 during the first quarter of 2025.
Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee stated that the difference between gross job gains and gross job losses resulted in this net decrease for the period. In comparison, the previous quarter saw a net increase of 27,912 jobs.
Gross job losses represented 5.7 percent of private-sector employment in Georgia for the first quarter of 2025. Nationally, this figure was slightly lower at 5.4 percent. Contracting establishments in Georgia accounted for a loss of 183,837 jobs—an increase of 9,000 compared to the prior quarter—while closing establishments lost an additional 54,874 jobs, up by nearly 5,000 from the previous period.
On the other hand, gross job gains made up 5.5 percent of private-sector employment in Georgia; nationally, this rate was marginally higher at 5.6 percent. Expanding establishments contributed to a gain of 182,135 jobs in Georgia—a decrease of more than 10,000 from the previous quarter—and opening establishments added another 49,034 jobs.
Seven out of eleven major industry sectors in Georgia recorded more job losses than gains during this time frame. The transportation and warehousing sector had the largest net decrease with a loss of over 7,300 jobs due to high gross job losses relative to gains. The leisure and hospitality sector followed with a net loss exceeding 6,100 jobs; professional and business services lost about 5,400 jobs on net. Conversely, education and health services posted a net gain of over 5,100 jobs—the highest among all sectors—while retail trade gained more than 3,300 jobs.
The BLS compiles Business Employment Dynamics (BED) data through its Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages program as part of a federal-state cooperative effort. These statistics are available for all states as well as certain territories and include details by industry subsector and employer size class.
Additional information is accessible online at the Business Employment Dynamics homepage and summary pages provided by BLS.
The next BED release covering second quarter data is scheduled for February 26, 2026.
“Information in this release will be made available to individuals with sensory impairments upon request,” according to BLS.
