Unemployment continues to rise in February

Unemployment in February rose by 759 when compared to the same month of last year and by 130 from January, the NSO said today.

The National Statistics Office said that the registered unemployed totalled 6,316 people in Malta ad 785 in Gozo in February.

In the 12 months leading to February 2009, both Malta and Gozo experienced an increase in unemployment (716 in Malta and 43 in Gozo).

With regard to people registering for work in the 12 months to February 2009, the number of men increased by 641, whilst the number of women increased by 118. The number of persons registering for work increased across all the age groups.

Between February 2008 and February 2009, persons who have been registering for work for under 20 weeks increased by 517.

The most common occupations sought by unemployed men related to elementary duties and services, whereas women tended to seek jobs which were clerical or service-oriented.