There were almost 3,000 more people in employment in May when compared to the same month last year, statistics show.

However, there were nearly 600 more looking for a job in the same month, raising the number of the unemployed to almost 7,300.

The National Statistics Office said yesterday that full-time employment increased by nearly two per cent in May over the corresponding month last year, reaching 154,928.

Employment and Training Corporation data indicated that full-time employment within the education sector registered the highest increase, with 960 new jobs, the NSO said.

The number of those employed in the administrative and support service activities grew by 887. There were fewer full-time employment construction workers, down by 527.

Full-time jobs in the private sector represented 73 per cent of the total number of people in full-time work. Private sector employment grew 1.9 per cent.

There were more part-time jobs too last May, up 4.2 per cent when compared to the same month in 2012. The most significant increases in part-time employment were recorded in wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles and accommodation and food service activities.

The number of workers who had both a part-time and a full-time job in May went up by 643, the highest increase recorded among females.

There was also an increase of 1,627 employees who held a part-time job as their primary occupation.