The employment rate in the third quarter last year increased by 2.1 percentage points when compared to the same period the previous year, according to Labour Force Survey estimates published by the National Statistics Office.

The estimates indicate that total employment stood at 184,355 accounting for 51.6 per cent of the population aged 15 and over.

The unemployed number 11,440 (3.2 per cent) while inactive persons totalled 161,663 (45.2 per cent).

The activity rate for the quarter under review was estimated at 67.5 per cent. Compared to the previous year, the activity rate among men increased by 0.6 percentage points and among women by 2.9 percentage points.

The highest activity rate was recorded among persons aged 25-54 (80 per cent).

On average, out of every 100 persons aged 15 to 64, 64 were employed. The highest employment rate was recorded among those aged 25 to 54 and stood at 76.4 per cent.

The self-employed accounted for 13.9 per cent of the total employed population.

The average annual basic salary was estimated at €16,082, excluding overtime, bonuses and allowances.

The highest average annual basic salary for employees was recorded in financial and insurance activities. Average annual salaries varied from €26,552 among managers to €10,676 among elementary staff.

Survey results estimate that the unemployment rate for the period stood at 5.8 per cent. The largest share of unemployed persons was recorded among persons aged 25 and over.

Among the unemployed, 47 per cent stated that they had been seeking work for at least 12 months.