The number of registered unemployed stood at 6,342 in February, 845 below the figure in the corresponding month a year ago, the National Statistics Office said yesterday.

In Malta, the registered unemployed amounted to 5,600 persons whereas in Gozo the number stood at 742.

In the 12 months to February, Malta experienced a decline in unemployment whereas Gozo witnessed a marginal increase (-863 in Malta and +18 in Gozo).

In the 12 months to February, all the age groups experienced a decline in the number of registered unemployed, with the biggest drop being reported in persons under 20 and those aged between 20 and 24.

The unemployment rates for February are not available because the data on the labour supply for this month are not yet available.

In October 2007, the registered unemployment rate stood at 4.5 per cent of the labour supply. On a gender basis, the unemployment rate for men stood at 4.8 while the unemployment rate for women stood at 3.6 per cent.

The long-term unemployment rate, referring to people who have been registering for work for more than 12 months, stood at 1.6 per cent.

The unemployment rate among older workers (45 and over) was 3.9 per cent and that among young people (under 25) stood at 5.7 per cent.