ATLANTA — First-time claims for unemployment insurance in Georgia increased in May, but at a rate that suggested the pace of job losses may be slowing across the state, Department of Labor officials said Thursday.

The latest claims point to an employment picture that’s improving, but still has a long way to go, Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said.

"Fewer Georgians are losing their jobs," he said. "However, for those who are unemployed, they’re remaining without work for longer periods."

May saw 75,436 first-time claims by laid off workers statewide, a 68.7 percent increase from last May. It’s the second month of double-digit year-over-year increases. By comparison, March filings were up 126.3 percent over the previous year.

Most of the state’s initial claims were filed by laid-off workers in manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, construction, and administrative and support services.

Gainesville led the state with an increase of 136.2 percent from last May. The unemployment rate for the Georgia Mountains area was 8.8 percent in April 2009, a slight drop from February and March. The unemployment rate for Gainesville was 8.6 percent, which remained steady from March, but was a slight decrease from February. May figures have not been released.

Those workers are staying on unemployment for an average of 12.4 weeks, up from 11 weeks in recent months.

Nationwide, job openings numbered 2.5 million at the end of April, the lowest since December 2000, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced Tuesday.