BMG offers you an overview of the key economic developments in Georgia during the past week (August 18–24).
Unemployment in Georgia increased in Q2 2025
In Q2 2025, the number of self-employed persons in Georgia decreased by 29,300, according to labor force statistics released today by Geostat. Official data show that the unemployment rate rose by 0.6 percentage points year-on-year, reaching 14.3 %. The report attributes the increase in unemployment to a decline in self-employment, while the number of employees under contract grew. Compared to the same period last year, the number of employees rose by 4,700 (0.5 %) to 940,500, while the number of self-employed persons fell by 29,300 (6.5 %) to 422,200. Meanwhile, the number of unemployed increased by 7,900 (3.6 %) to 227,600.
Georgia’s exports reached $ 3.9 billion in the first 7 months of 2025 – country statistics
From January to July 2025, Georgia’s foreign trade turnover in goods increased by 10.3 % year-on-year, reaching $ 14.155 billion. Exports amounted to $ 3.845 billion (up 9 % y/y), while imports stood at $ 10.310 billion (up 10.8 % y/y). The top 10 export partner countries accounted for 79.9 % of Georgia’s total exports.
As in previous periods, most exports were linked to the re-export of vehicles, which placed Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Russia among the leading destinations. However, exports to neighboring countries Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey — traditionally among Georgia’s largest partners — declined.
The top 10 export partners were:
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Kyrgyzstan – $ 815.5 m, +38.8 %
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Kazakhstan – $ 494.7 m, +10.8 %
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Russia – $ 411.9 m, +1.4 %
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Azerbaijan – $ 400.2 m, –0.1 %
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Armenia – $ 290 m, –16.1 %
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Turkey – $ 196 m, –31.6 %
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China – $ 185 m, +5.3 %
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Bulgaria – $ 108 m, +166.6 %
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Uzbekistan – $ 103.9 m, +56.5 %
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Switzerland – $ 66.1 m, +7.8 %
Transit trailer numbers declined in Georgia’s corridor
Revenue from international trailer transit through Georgia continues to decline. According to the State Treasury, 277,058 international freight trucks used Georgian roads in the first 7 months of the year, generating GEL 96.97 million in fees.
Compared to last year, road usage tax revenues fell by GEL 5.8 million (6 %), meaning nearly 17,000 fewer trailers crossed Georgia in 2025.
Georgian banks earned GEL 1.82 billion in profit in the first 7 months of 2025
Commercial banks operating in Georgia earned GEL 1.82 billion in profit during January–July 2025, according to financial reports submitted to the NBG. This is GEL 75 million (4 %) more than in the same period of 2024.
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Bank of Georgia led the sector with GEL 922 million in profit (up 8 % y/y).
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TBC Bank ranked second with GEL 686 million (+0.4 %).
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Liberty Bank held third place with GEL 74 million (+12 %).
At the bottom of the list, four commercial banks reported losses, with VTB Bank showing the largest loss of GEL 41 million.
The microfinance sector earned GEL 71 million in profit in H1 2025
The microfinance sector closed H1 2025 with GEL 70.6 million in net profit, up GEL 3.7 million (5.5 %) year-on-year. Despite two major players exiting the sector and continuing operations as microbanks, MFIs maintained profitability.
However, due to the exit of MBC and Crystal, the sector’s loan portfolio shrank by GEL 212 million to GEL 1.68 billion. As of mid-2025, the sector had issued 813,117 loans. Pawnshop loans accounted for GEL 1.3 billion of the portfolio, followed by consumer loans with GEL 252 million.
Mobile operators earned GEL 438 million in revenue in H1 2025
In the first half of 2025, Georgians spent a record GEL 438 million on mobile communications, according to the Communications Commission. Revenues rose by GEL 26 million (6 %) compared to the same period in 2024. The number of active mobile subscribers reached 5,756,274, up 172,000 y/y.
Financial indicators for H1 2025 were:
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Magti – GEL 206,534,442; 2,361,432 subscribers; 41 % market share; +5.4 % revenue growth
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Silknet – GEL 154,195,437; 2,041,811 subscribers; 35.5 % market share; +6.2 % revenue growth
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Selfie Mobile – GEL 76,936,360; 1,334,723 subscribers; 23 % market share; +8.9 % revenue growth
Georgian Railways freight turnover declined in H1 2025
Georgian Railways transported 6.3 million tons of cargo in the first half of 2025, an annual decrease of 8.1 %. In Q2 alone, volumes fell 9 % y/y to 3.2 million tons.
Transit cargo accounted for 59 % of total shipments, totaling 3.7 million tons (down 10.6 %). The company noted that the main driver of the decline was an 11 % drop in transit shipments from Kazakhstan, down by 478,300 tons.
Tender announced for supervision of new Batumi–Sarpi road and 7.6 km tunnel
Georgia will connect to Turkey via a new highway. The current coastal road will be replaced by an 11.3 km asphalt-concrete highway linked to Batumi’s bypass road via a new bridge over the Chorokhi River. Its key section will be a 7.6 km tunnel bypassing settlements.
The Roads Department has announced an international tender for construction supervision services, with an estimated value of $ 14 million. The project is financed by the Asian Development Bank. The supervision period is set at 48 months, and interested companies must submit proposals in English via the ADB website by September 22, 2025.
Government reshuffle continues – Mamuka Mdinaradze to become new head of the State Security Service (SSS)
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced at a briefing that Mamuka Mdinaradze has been nominated to head the State Security Service. His candidacy will be approved by Parliament during the autumn plenary session.
Anri Okhanashvili resigned less than five months after his appointment as head of the SSS. He will now serve as the PM’s advisor on national security issues.
