Unemployment in October rose by 1,563 when compared to the same month last year, official statistics show.

Administrative records of the Employment and Training Corporation show that while the number of gainfully occupied people dropped by 1,747 to 144,960, the registered unemployed grew by 1,563 to 7,521.

In the 12 months to July, 2,377 workers lost their jobs in the manufacturing sector, and 602 in the hospitality and catering industry became jobless. There was also a drop of 163 full-time jobs in the electricity, gas and water supply sector.

On the other hand, there were increases in real estate, renting and business activities with 788 more jobs adding to the tally of 14,471 working in these sectors. There was an increment of 321 persons adding to the workforce in the community, social and personal services sector and 228 more persons were employed in the health and social work sector.

Between July 2008 and July 2009, there was a drop of 1,418 full-time jobs in the public sector and a drop of 329 posts in the private sector.

Part-time employment increased by 1,774 over the same period last year to total 50,632.

The main increases in part-time employment were seen in education, with 604 more joining the sector; 266 of these had their part-time job as their primary occupation.

Wholesale and retail trade saw an increase of 405 persons working part-time, 288 of who had their part-time employment as their primary occupation.