The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Athens’ unemployment rate increased to 5.4 percent in January, up two-tenths of a percentage point from 5.2 percent in December. The rate was 6.7 percent in January a year ago.

The rate rose primarily because the number of jobs in Metro Athens decreased to 88,300, down by 3,400 from 91,700 in December. Most of the losses came in state government (1,400), trade, transportation and warehousing (200), professional and business services (200), and leisure and hospitality (200).

While the number of jobs declined over the month, it increased by 1,300, or 1.5 percent, since January 2013, when there were 87,000 jobs. Most of the annual gains came in trade, transportation and warehousing (1,000), professional and business services (600), and leisure and hospitality (500).

The number of new layoffs, represented by initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, decreased to 747, down by 440, or 37.1 percent, from 1,187 in December. Most of the decline in claims came in wholesale trade, manufacturing, and administrative and support services. There were 809 claims in January 2013.

Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 5.4 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 9.8 percent.

Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 5.4 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 9.8 percent.