Sharp rise in gainfully occupied population

The full-time gainfully occupied population increased by 2,907 persons in March while unemployment decreased by 865 persons when compared to March 2007, the NSO said today.

It said that in the month under review, the labour supply increased by 2,042 persons over the same month in 2007.

The labour supply amounted to 149,644 persons. Of these, the full-time gainfully occupied population amounted to 143,476 persons, whilst the registered unemployed amounted to 6,168.

Economic activities

In the 12 months to March 2008, the economic activities which registered the main growth in full-time employment were real estate, renting and business activities, other community, social and personal service activities, and health and social work activities .

On the downside, the number of the gainfully occupied persons fell in manufacturing and electricity, gas and water supply.

On a year-on-year basis, the number of self-employed persons increased by 218 to reach 16,878. The main economic activities in which the self-employed persons operated were wholesale and retail trade and construction.

Part-time employment

In the 12 months to March 2008, part-time employment rose by 2,608. Among part-timers who also hold a full-time job, there was an increase of 944 persons. Those having a part-time job as their primary occupation went up by 1,664 persons.