Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that the Southwest Georgia region’s unemployment rate slightly increased in December.

“Georgia finished the year strong by continuing to add jobs in all major sectors,” Butler said. “Moving forward, we need to attract more people to the workforce, so we can fill these great jobs.”

In Southwest Georgia, the unemployment rate increased 0.2 percentage points in December, reaching 3.4 percent. A year ago, the rate was 4.3 percent.

The labor force in Southwest Georgia decreased by 539 in December, bringing the total to 146,789. The number has decreased by 2,877 when compared to the same month a year ago.

Southwest Georgia lost 773 employed residents in December, bringing the total to 141,789. The number is down 1,430 for the year.

Claims for unemployment insurance were up by about 71 percent in December. They were up by about 15 percent when compared to the same month a year ago.