More people in employment

The labour supply last September increased by 2,675 people over the same month in 2007. The full-time gainfully occupied population rose by 3,208 people, whereas the registered unemployed decreased by 533 people.

The National Statistics Office said the labour supply amounted to 151,872 people.

Of these, the full-time gainfully occupied population amounted to 145,776 people, while the registered unemployed amounted to 6,096 people.

The net increase of 3,208 gainfully-occupied people over the twelve-month period leading to September was divided in 2,304 women and 904 men.

On a year-on-year basis, the full-time gainfully occupied population in the public sector decreased by 609 people. On the other hand, the full-time gainfully occupied population in the private sector increased by 3,817.

In the 12 months to September, full-time employment increased by 2,868 in Malta and by 340 in Gozo.

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

Accordingly, the sector of real estate, renting and business activities increased its employment by 1,413 people. On its part, the sector of other community, social and personal service activities gained 473 people. Health and social work activities reported an increase of 444 people.

On the downside, the gainfully occupied fell in manufacturing and electricity, gas and water supply. In fact, employment in manufacturing dropped by 854 people and by 132 in the electricity, gas and water supply sector.

On a year-on-year basis, the number of self-employed increased by 246 to reach 17,112. The two main economic activities in which self-employed persons operate were wholesale and retail trade and construction.

In the twelve months to September, part-time employment rose by 2,603. Part-timers who also hold a full-time job increased by 847, while those having a part-time job as their primary occupation went up by 1,756.