The number of unemployed at the end of June stood at 6,697 - 7.8 per cent more than the same month last year, the National Statistics Office said.

The NSO said that according to Employment and Training Corporation records, there were 6,027 people in Malta and 670 in Gozo registering for work in June.

Accordingly, during the 12-month period to June, the number of registered unemployed went up by 502 on the mainland, but declined by 17 in Gozo.

Those registering under Part 1 of the unemployment register increased by 435 (7.8 per cent), while those registering under Part 2 went up by 50 (7.5 per cent).

On a gender basis, 78 per cent of the registered unemployed, or 5,224, were men.

When compared to last year, unemployment among men went up by 6.7 per cent, while female unemployment increased by 11.9 per cent. Unemployment rose across all age groups, with the exception of those aged under 20.