As at the end of May 2006, there were a total of 7,147 people registering for work with the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC). Of these, 6,651 were registering for work under Part 1, and 496 were registered under Part 2.

The number of registered unemployed fell by 390 over the preceding month. On the other hand, when comparing the figures for May 2005 and May 2006, the number of registered unemployed was down by 98.

In the 12 months up to May 2006, the number of people registering for work under Part 1 has increased by 80. On the other hand, the number registering for work under Part 2 has fallen by 178 during the same period.

The number of people registering for work in Malta amounted to 6,513, while there were 634 people registering for work in Gozo.

During May this year, the number of new registrants under Part 1 of the unemployment register amounted to 280.

On a year-on-year basis, and focusing on the number of people who were registered for a period of less than 20 weeks, the available data indicate an increase of 202 people under Part 1 and a reduction of 203 under Part 2. In addition, there was a fall of 257 in the number of people in the long-term unemployed bracket (53 weeks and over).

In terms of occupations, the most common type of occupations sought by men was in respect of trades, service-related and elementary work. On the other hand, women are more likely to be looking for clerical, services and sales occupations.

Unemployment rates for January 2006

In January 2006, the unemployment rate stood at 5.3 per cent of the labour supply. On a gender basis, the male unemployment rate stood at 5.8 per cent, while the female rate stood at 4.1 per cent.

The long-term unemployment rate stood at 1.8 per cent.

The unemployment rate among older people (45 years of age and over) amounted to 3.9 per cent. The unemployment rate among young people (aged under 25) stood at 8.8 per cent.