Employment in the second quarter increased by 2.1 per cent when compared to the same period last year and the female employment rate reached 43.9 per cent, according to Labour Force Survey estimates.

The estimates indicate that nearly half the population aged 15 and over was employed (171,728) in the second quarter. There were 11,977 (three per cent) unemployed and 173,981 (49 per cent) inactive.

The activity rate for the quarter under review was estimated at 63 per cent. When compared to last year, there was an increase of three percentage points in the activity rate for females, but the rate for males dropped by one percentage point. The highest activity rate was recorded among the 25-54 year age group at 77 per cent.

During the period under review, the average gross annual salary of employees was estimated at €15,480. This referred to the basic salary and excluded extra payments such as overtime, bonuses and allowances.

The highest average gross annual salary for employees was recorded in financial, real estate, renting and business activities.

Legislators, senior officials and managerial grades had an average annual salary of €23,168.

The unemployment rate for the period under review was estimated at 6.5 per cent, and ranged from

6.5 per cent among males to 6.6 per cent among females. Nearly half of the unemployed said they had been seeking work for 12 months or more.

The largest share of unemployed was recorded among those aged 15-24.