4,000 new jobs in private sector till July

Unemployment dropped by 374 people as the number of people with jobs rose by 3,574 people in July when compared to the same month last year, according to the National Statistics Office.

The NSO said the labour supply increased by 3,200 people to a total of 152,075, of whom 146,117 are employed and 5,958 unemployed.

Throughout the previous 12 months, employment in the public sector fell by 495 people, while that in the private sector rose by 4,069.

The NSO said the main areas of the public sector which shed jobs were transport, storage and communication (548), construction (196) and electricity, gas and water supply (118).

On the other hand, over the 12 months, the real estate, renting and business sector has employed a further 1,291 people, the community, social and personal service sector 605 people and the health and social work sector 493 people.

The manufacturing sector shed 521 jobs and the electricity, gas and water supply sector 120.

The number of self-employed increased by 184 to 17,013, mainly in the wholesale and retail trade and construction. Part-time employment rose by 2,482, of whom 959 also hold a full-time job.