Unemployment in April reached 7,606, an increase of 396 when compared to the corresponding month last year, and up by 50 over March this year.

The NSO said that in Malta alone, registered unemployed totalled 6,852, whereas in Gozo the registered unemployed amounted to 754. In the 12 months to April 2010, unemployment rose in mainland Malta, with an increase of 425 registered unemployed, compared to a drop of 29 persons in Gozo.

In the 12 months to April 2010, unemployment decreased slightly among the younger population, but increased with respect to older persons.There was a drop of 28 within the age group of persons aged under 20 and a further drop of 55 within the 20-24 age group.

On the other hand, there was an increase of 41 within the 25-29 age group, a further increase of 62 within the 30-44 age group, and a further increase of 376 within the age group of persons aged 45 and over.

Month on month, the figures of the registered unemployed also showed a similar trend, with a drop of persons within the younger age groups and a rise of unemployed persons within the older age groups. Year on year, those on the unemployment register for over one year increased by 421, or 18.5 per cent.

On the other hand, those persons registering for employment for up to 20 weeks decreased by 110, or 3.2 per cent.

Among men, occupations related to trades and services were the most commonly sought, whereas women sought more clerical or service-oriented jobs.