Unemployment rose to 7,852 last month, an increase of 751 when compared to the corresponding month last year and by 94 over January, the NSO said today.

It said there were 7,059 registered unemployed persons in Malta and 793 in Gozo.

The overall rise in the number of registered unemployed in Malta was the result of an increase of 632 men and 111 women. In Gozo, the increase was of 4 men and 4 women.

In the twelve months to February 2010, all age groups showed an increase in the number of registered unemployed. The largest change was registered among those aged 45 and over with an increase of 454 persons or 18.5 per cent.

Between February 2009 and February 2010, those on the unemployment register for over one year increased by 450, or 20.2 per cent.Those persons registering for employment for up to 20 weeks increased by 69, or 2.0 per cent.

The unemployment rate among older workers (45 years of age and over) was 4.9 per cent while that among young people (under 25 years of age) stood at 5.9 per cent.