Full-time employment in October increased by 1.6 per cent when compared to the corresponding period in 2010, the National Statistics Office said.

It said that according to administrative data provided by the Employment and Training Corporation, the gainfully occupied population increased by 2,370 while the registered unemployed decreased by 158. This was reflected in an increase in the labour supply, to 156,005 (+2,212).

When compared to October 2010, total part-time employment in October last year went up by 4.3 per cent to 53,456.

Part-timers who also hold a primary job amounted to 43.5 per cent of total part-time employment. The highest fraction of part-timers who fell within this category were males.

Nevertheless, a significant increase of 8.6 per cent was registered among females. The employed who hold a part-time job as their primary job increased by 4.1 per cent, with the highest share being recorded among males.