Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Georgia declined last week compared with the week before, according to numbers released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor. New jobless claims in Georgia dropped to 4,472 for the week ending January 24, down from 6,278 the previous week.

Nationally, weekly unemployment claims also dipped slightly to 209,000, down 1,000 from 210,000 on a seasonally adjusted basis. Among the states, Nebraska reported the largest percentage increase in claims, while Kentucky recorded the biggest percentage decrease.