The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that the unemployment rate in the Northwest Georgia region increased to 7.2 percent in December, up two-tenths of a percentage point from 7.0 percent in November. The rate was 8.8 percent in December a year ago.

The rate rose primarily because the number of new layoffs, represented by initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, increased to 10,961, up by 7,455, or 212.6 percent, from 3,506 in November. Claims increased in several sectors, including manufacturing, construction, administrative and support services, trade, transportation, and social assistance, health care and social assistance, along with accommodations and food services. There were 6,220 claims in December 2012.

Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 5.2 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 10.2 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December was 7.4 percent, down from 7.6 percent in November. The rate was 8.7 percent in December a year ago.