Unemployment down by 562 in May

The labour supply in May increased by 2,271 persons when compared to the same month last year, the National Statistics Office said.

It said that the full time gainfully occupied population increased by 2,833 persons, whereas the registered unemployed decreased by 562 persons over the same month in the previous year.

The NSO said that the labour supply amounted to 150,034 persons. Of these, the full-time gainfully occupied population amounted to 144,016 persons, whilst the registered unemployed numbered 6,018.

Full-time employment in the private sector increased by 3,278 persons, whereas full-time employment in the public sector dropped by 445 persons.

In the 12 months to May, the private sector areas which saw jobs growth were mainly real estate, renting and business activities; transport, storage and communication; other community, social and personal service activities; and hotels and restaurants.

On the other hand, the main drop in employment within the private sector occurred in manufacturing.

In the 12 months to May 2008, full-time employment increased by 2,419 in Malta and by 414 in Gozo.

In the same period, the economic activities which registered the main growth in fulltime employment were real estate, renting and business activities; other community, social and personal service activities; and health and social work activities.

Accordingly, the sector of real estate, renting and business activities added 1,183 persons on its books. On its part, the sector of other community, social and personal service activities added 691 persons. Health and Social work activities reported an increase of 561 persons.

On the downside, the number of the gainfully occupied persons fell in manufacturing by 1,189 persons and in electricity, gas and water supply by 117 persons.

On a year-on-year basis, the number of self-employed persons increased by 201 to reach 16,937 persons. Part time employment rose by 2,373. Among part timers who also hold a full-time job, there was an increase of 957 persons, whilst those having a part-time job as their primary occupation increased by 1,416 persons.