The number signing on the live register in Donegal last month fell by 658 when compared to November.
That means 21,054 people were signing on for the month of December, 3% less than the previous month.
All offices across the county recorded a drop last month - the largest, in terms of numbers, was in Letterkenny - 176 fewer people signed on in December compared to November.
A significant drop was also recorded in the Finn Valley area, the total signing there dropped by 3.6% leaving the total at 2,662.
A fall of 89 was recorded in Inishowen, that represents a reduction of just 1.8% - a reduction in numbers of 74 was recorded in Ballyshannon with the total on the dole in that area standing at 1,618.
Elsewhere the dole queue shortened by 5.6% in Killybegs, just 2.8% in Dungloe while there are now 1,672 people signing on in the Dunfanaghy area, down 42 November to December.