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Georgia’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.4% in December for the fourth month in a row, the state Department of Labor reported Thursday.

The Peach State continued to outperform the nation, with the national jobless rate at 3.7%.

The December report capped a “blockbuster” year that saw the state continue to set employment records. The outlook for this year continues to be strong, Georgia Commissioner of Labor Bruce Thompson said.

“With existing companies continuing to expand and a stream of new companies calling Georgia home, 2024 appears to be headed for all-time highs again,” he said.

Georgia’s labor force rose by 2,864 last month to a record high of more than 5.36 million, while the labor force participation rate held at 61.6% for the third consecutive month.

The number of employed Georgians also rose by 4,804 in December to nearly 5.18 million, also an all-time high.

The number of jobs declined slightly last month – by 0.1% – but posted a 2% increase over the course of 2023.

First-time unemployment claims rose 11% in December to 24,802. But first-time jobless claims were down for the year, also by 11%.

Job sectors posting the biggest gains during the year were health care and social assistance, gaining 29,300 jobs; followed by accommodation and food services jobs, which increased by 28,600.