The average gainfully occupied population during the first two months this year increased 1.5 per cent when compared to the corresponding period last year.

According to administrative data provided by the Employment and Training Corporation, the number of people with a full-time job increased in both January and February to 149,946 and 150,166, respectively.

Marginal decreases were recorded in the average number of people registered as unemployed during this period.

Full-time private employment in February increased by 1.9 per cent when compared to the previous year. Over the same period, employment within the public sector went up by 0.6 per cent.

Female full-time employment in February rose by 2,175 people or 4.4 per cent. Male employment went up by 113 peopl.

When compared to the previous year, part-time employment in February increased by 5.3 per cent, reaching 53,005. Part-timers who also held a full-time job increased by 3.5 per cent, with the highest increase being recorded among females (+468).

During this same period, an increase of 6.7 per cent was also recorded among people who only had a part-time job, with the highest increase being recorded among females (+1,022).