Jobless up 3,000 in one year

The number of unemployed went up by just over 3,000 persons in the 12-month period to September 2003.

In September 2003, there were 13,166 unemployed persons, of whom 8,332 were male, according to figures released yesterday by the National Statistics Office.

In September 2002, there were 10,160 unemployed persons, of whom 6,867 were male.

The unemployment rate stood at 8.2 per cent, compared with 6.4 per cent in September 2002, and 6.3 per cent in September 2001.

The figures are based on the Labour Force Survey. The average age of unemployed males was 32 years whereas that of females was 27 years. Among the total number of unemployed, 5,977, or 45.4 per cent, had been actively seeking work for less than five months and a further 38.2 per cent have been looking for a job for over a year.

From the population aged between 15 and 64, 59 out of every 100 were either employed or unemployed during September 2003 (activity rate). The employment rate, which is defined as the number of persons employed (aged between 15 and 64 years) as a percentage of the working population aged between 15 and 64 years, stood at 53.7 per cent.

The majority of those aged 15+, or 50.1 per cent, were inactive, followed by a further 45.8 per cent who are employed persons. During September 2003, the labour force (employed + unemployed) reached 159,768 persons of whom 49,730 were females.

The total number of employed persons in September 2003 was estimated to be 146,602 persons.

Between September 2002 and September 2003 there was an estimated decrease in employment of 2,360 persons. The major decrease in employment was in the sector of transport, storage and communication.

The most common category of occupations in September 2003 was service workers and shop and sales workers. This includes jobs such as air hostesses, waiters, salespersons and police officers.

During September 2003, the average gross annual salary for employees was estimated at Lm5,083. The best paid employees worked in the category of legislators, senior officials and managers and, in fact, their average gross annual salary amounted to Lm8,358. The least paid employees earning an average gross annual salary of Lm4,032 worked in elementary occupations.

Among the total number of persons with a main occupation, 90.8 per cent worked on a full-time basis. A further 11,055, or 7.5 per cent, worked on part-time basis. Of these, 7,796 persons, or 17.4 per cent, were females. The number of males with a part-time occupation amounted to 3,259.

In September 2003, the private sector employed 98,459, or 67.2 per cent, whilst a further 30,710, or 20.9 per cent, were employed in government departments and ministries.

The Labour Force Survey is carried out on a quarterly basis, using a random sample of 2,500 private households.

The definitions and criteria used for this survey match international methodologies used by the International Labour Organisation.

All information relates to a survey carried out between September 22-28.

All data contained within this release refer to persons 15 years old and over.