The labour supply increased by 2,275 persons in October 2007 over the same month in 2006, the National Statistics Office said yesterday.

The full-time gainfully occupied population rose by 2,787 persons, whereas the registered unemployed declined by 512 persons. Thus the labour supply amounted to 149,390 persons.

Of these, the full-time gainfully occupied population amounted to 142,731 persons while the registered unemployed amounted to 6,659.

In the 12 months to October 2007, the economic activities which registered the main growth in full-time employment were real estate, renting and business activities, hotels and restaurants and other community, social and personal service activities.

Accordingly, the sector of real estate, renting and business activities saw an increase of 1,410 persons on its books. Among other activities, this sector includes accounting and auditing, security services and call centres.

Hotels and restaurants reported an increase of 535 persons and the sector of other community, social and personal service activities increased by 508 persons. Besides other activities, this sector includes betting companies.

On the downside, the number of the gainfully occupied persons fell in manufacturing, electricity, gas and water supply, and transport, storage and communication. In fact, manufacturing dropped 824 persons; electricity, gas and water supply dropped 127 persons; and transport, storage and communication dropped 115 persons. On a year-on-year basis, part-time employment rose by 3,719. Among part-timers who also hold a full-time job, there was an increase of 1,479 persons. Those having a part-time job as their primary occupation went up by 2,240.