Jobs increased by 1.8 per cent in the second quarter of this year compared to the same period last year, the National Statistics Office said today, quoting its ongoing Labour Force Survey. 

It said total employment stood at 184,871 accounting for more than half the population aged 15 and over. Unemployed persons stood at 10,594 (2.9 per cent) while inactive persons totalled 164,855 (45.8 per cent).

The activity rate for the quarter under review was estimated at 67.6 per cent. The highest activity rate was recorded among persons aged 25-54 (81.2 per cent). Compared to the previous year, the total activity rate increased by 1.2 percentage points.  

On average, 64 out of every 100 persons aged between 15 and 64 were employed. The highest employment rate was recorded among persons aged between 25 and 54 and stood at 77.7 per cent. The employment rate of men for this age bracket was 90.8 per cent while that for women stood at 64.1 per cent.

Employed men were mostly engaged in wholesale and retail trade, transportation and storage, accommodation and food service activities (29.5 per cent). On the other hand, at 40.6 per cent, employed women were mostly engaged in public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities.

Self-employed persons accounted for 13.8 per cent of the total employed population. The majority of employed persons worked on a full-time basis and totalled 156,603. An estimated12.8 per cent had a part-time job as their primary employment. A further 4,651 were working on a full-time with reduced hours basis.

Salaries

The average annual basic salary of employees for the second quarter of 2015 was estimated at €16,406, from €16,078 in the same period last year. This amount refers to the annual basic salary and excludes extra payments such as overtime, bonuses and allowances. The highest average annual basic salary for employees was recorded in the information and communication sector. Average annual salaries varied from €28,074 among managers to €11,359 among elementary staff.

The unemployed population

Survey results estimate that the unemployment rate for the second quarter of 2015, stood at 5.4 per cent. The largest share of unemployed persons was recorded among persons aged 25 and over. Among the unemployed, 45.7 per cent stated that they had been seeking work for at least 12 months.

See full data on pdf below.

PN warns of 'soap bubble'

In an initial reaction on Facebook, PN shadow finance minister Mario de Marco, said that according to the Labour Force Survey, public sector jobs shot up by over 4,000 in a year while jobs in the manufacturing and wholesale and retail sector decreased by over 1,100 and 2,500 respectively.

"In percentage terms, 27.4 per cent of the working population now works in public administration up from 25.6 per cent last year. If these statistics are correct then government is blowing one big soap bubble."

PL says data boosts optimism

The Labour Party said the results of the survey further boosted optimism among the people and businesses. 

The growth in the employment rate dovetailed with the record drop in unemployment, meaning that job creation was matching the demand for jobs. 

The €328 increase in the average salary also negated unfounded criticism by the Opposition on the value of wages and purchasing power.

 

Attached files

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