Policy and Management Consulting Group (PMCG) reports that unemployment in Georgia remains nearly twice the EU average, despite notable improvements in labor market indicators.
In Q1 2025, employment rose by 4.6 percentage points compared to the same period in 2019, while unemployment dropped by 5 points. The labor force also grew by 2.5%, largely driven by an 8.9% increase in the number of employed people. However, structural issues are still present.
PMCG points out continued gender disparity, with women participating in the labor force at a rate over 21 points lower than men. Urban areas still lead in employment, though the rural-urban gap has narrowed slightly since the pandemic.
Wages have risen significantly, nominal salaries nearly doubled since 2019 but real wage growth was more modest due to inflation. Meanwhile, job vacancies declined in late 2024 and early 2025, possibly linked to political uncertainty.
Underutilized labor, including the unemployed and underemployed, remains about twice the official unemployment rate, hinting at deeper structural challenges. PMCG’s report warns that while short-term indicators are improving, long-term issues in Georgia’s labor market remain unresolved.
