The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that Metro Albany’s unemployment rate increased to 8.0 percent in March, up one-tenth of a percentage point from 7.9 percent in February. The rate was 8.9 percent in March a year ago.

The rate rose because the labor force increased by 195, as new job seekers entered the labor market looking for work. The labor force rose to 72,015 from 71,820 in February. At the same time, the number of jobs was unchanged at 60,700.

Although the rate rose, Albany employers laid off fewer workers. There were 591 new claims for unemployment insurance filed, a drop of 81, or 12.1 percent, from 672 in February. Most of the decline in claims came in construction and manufacturing, administrative and support services, and other services.

Metro Athens had the lowest area jobless rate at 5.1 percent, while the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest at 9.4 percent.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March was 7.0 percent, down from 7.1 percent in February. The rate was 8.4 percent in March a year ago.