The registered unemployed in May increased by 1,248 when compared to the same month last year, bringing the number to 7,266.
The National Statistics Office said there were 6,501 registered unemployed in Malta and 765 in Gozo.
In the 12 months to May, unemployment in Malta increased by 1,168, in Gozo by 80.
The number of males registering for work in the 12 months to May increased by 943, the number of females by 305. The increase was across all age groups with the largest occurring among people aged 45 and over (40.6 percent). The youngest age group (people under 20) registered an increase of 13.3 percent.
Between May last year and May this year, the number of people registering for work for less than 20 weeks increased by 894.
Among men, occupations related to elementary duties and tradeswork were the most common, whereas women tended to seek jobs which were clerical or service-oriented.