More people aged 15+ in employment

An increase in employment has been registered in the second quarter this year over the same period last year by Labour Force Survey estimates.

The National Statistics Office said the number of employed people in this period was estimated at 168,222, up by 2.7 per cent over last year.

During the same period, the number of unemployed stood at 12,069, while those who were inactive numbered 174,354, three per cent and 49 per cent of the population aged 15 and over, respectively.

Just over 60 per cent of people within the 15-64 age group were active.

The highest activity rates among men and women were recorded in the 25-54 age group.

The employment rate for the second quarter was estimated at 57 per cent, with the highest rates recorded among those aged between 25 and 54, for both sexes.

The largest share of employed men (32 per cent) were engaged in the wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and household goods; hotels and restaurants; and transport and communication.

A total 46 per cent of the female employed population worked in other service activities.

Employed people were mostly engaged in service-oriented jobs followed by technical and associate professional occupations. Service-oriented occupations prevailed among female workers (21 per cent), while 16 per cent of men were engaged in craft-related jobs.

In terms of professional status, self-employed persons accounted for nearly 14 per cent of the total work force.

A total 87 per cent of the employed worked full-time.

During the period under review, the average gross annual salary of employees was estimated at €15,016.

On a sectoral basis, the highest average gross annual salary for employees was recorded in financial, real estate, renting and business activities.

Legislators, senior officials and managerial occupations were the highest income earners, with an average income of €24,087 per person.

The unemployment rate for the period was estimated at 6.7 per cent, with 6.5 per cent for males and seven per cent for females.

Most of the unemployed were in the 15-24 age group.

49 per cent of the unemployed stated they had been seeking work for 12 months or more.