The number of people registering as unemployed last month amounted to 7,619 - 750 more than the number in the same month last year, the National Statistics Office said.

It said that Employment and Training Corporation data indicates a year-on-year increase of 851 people (13.6 per cent) registering under Part 1 and a drop of 101 (16.1 per cent) registering under Part 2 of the unemployment register.

Those registering under Part 1 are new job seekers, re-entrants into the labour market, and job losers who have been made redundant. Those registering under Part 2 would have been dismissed from work due to disciplinary action, left their job of their own free will, refused work or training opportunities or were struck off the register after an inspection by law enforcement personnel.

The NSO said that from a geographical point of view, registered unemployment in Malta rose by 11 per cent to 6,866, while that in Gozo went up by 10.1 per cent to 753.

Registrants aged 45 and over went up by 9.9 per cent to 3,123, when compared to 2012 levels.

An increase of 559 persons was recorded for those whose duration of unemployment exceeded one year.

On the other hand, persons who had been registering for less than 21 weeks went up by 78. There was also a marginal downward shift in registrants with a disability, who numbered 518 during the month under review.

In line with past trends, the largest share of unemployed men were seeking occupations in services, crafts and related jobs, whereas women mostly sought clerical jobs.