Sharp rise in the gainfully occupied population

The full-time gainfully occupied population increased by 3,295 persons while unemployment dropped by 845 persons in January when compared to January 2007.

The National Statistics Office said the labour supply increased by 2,450 persons to 149,899.

Of these, the full-time gainfully occupied population amounted to 143,436 persons, whilst the registered unemployed amounted to 6,463 persons.

In the 12-months to January 2008, the economic activities which registered the main growth in full-time employment were real estate, renting and business activities; community, social and personal service activities and hotels and restaurants.

Employment fell in manufacturing and electricity, gas and water supply.

On a year-on-year basis, the number of self-employed persons increased by 228 to reach 16,810.

Part-time employment in the twelve months to January 2008 rose by 2,919. Among part-timers who also hold a full-time job, there was an increase of 1,007 persons. Those having a part-time job as their primary occupation went up by 1,912 persons,