The full-time gainfully occupied population increased by 2,197 persons in September while unemployment decreased by 555 when compared to September 2006, the National Statistics Office said today.

In the month under review, the labour supply increased by 1,642 persons over the same month in 2006 to 149,050. Of these, the full-time gainfully occupied population amounted to 142,421 persons, whilst the registered unemployed amounted to 6,629 persons.

The NSO said that in the 12 months to September 2007, the economic activities which registered the main growth in full-time employment were real estate, renting and business activities.

A comparison of the figures of September 2006 and September 2007 showed an expansion in the activities of hotels and restaurants, health, social work activities and retail and wholesale.

On the downside, the number of the gainfully occupied persons fell in manufacturing, transport, storage and and electricity, gas and the water supply sectors. Employment in manufacturing dropped by 827 persons, transport, storage and communication shed by 219 persons, and electricity, gas and water supply dropped 136.

A regional analysis shows that in September 2007, the full-time gainfully occupied increased by 2,036 persons in Malta and 161 persons in Gozo.

On a year-on-year basis, part-time employment rose by 3,493. Among part-timers who also hold a full-time job, there was an increase of 1,507 persons. Also those having a part-time job astheir primary occupation went up by 1,986 persons.