Sources: Current Population Survey, Bureau of Labor Statistics andWorkforce Statistics & Economic Research, Georgia Dept. of Labor According to the Department of Labor, unemployment in Georgia has gone down. Georgia’s jobless rate was 9.7 for December making it still higher than the national average.

The two month decline for November and December of 2011, is the largest two month decrease since 1977.

With 600 new construction jobs added in December, that’s the first time construction jobs saw an improvement since 2003.

Manufacturing jobs grew by 400. Trade, transportation and information services also saw an increase.

More than 7,000 jobs were lost due to jobs that end after the Christmas holidays, and the number of firsttime unemployment benefits rose as well.

Despite the numbers, Governor Deal is quoted as saying, “ This is great news for our state, particularly for Georgians who have faced a tough job market for several years,” he said.

The national unemployment rate stands at 8.5.