Jobless drop by over 500

The number of unemployed dropped by 533 in September when compared to the same period in 2007, according to the latest official statistics.

In September last year, the number of people in the labour market increased by 2,675 while full-time employees rose by 3,208, according to the National Statistics Office.

People registering for work decreased by 533 to 6,096.

In all, there are 151,872 people in full- and part-time employment. Of these, 145,776 are working full-time, the NSO said.

Between September 2007 and September 2008, there was an increase of 3,208 people who were gainfully occupied - 2,304 women and 904 men. Full-time employment rose by 2,868 in Malta and by 340 in Gozo.

During the same period, part-time employment increased by 2,603. Part-timers who also hold a full-time job increased by 847 while people who have a part-time job as their primary occupation increased by 1,756.

Real estate, renting and business, health and social work activities were among the sectors that registered a high growth of full-time employees.

In real estate, renting and business activities there was an increase of 1,413 employees while social and personal service activities registered an increase of 473 employees. Health and social work activities reported an increase of 444 people.

In manufacturing, there was a drop of 854 employees while electricity, gas and water supply sector registered a decrease of 132 employees.

On a year-on-year basis, the number of self-employed rose by 246 to 17,112.