At 6,629 persons, registered unemployment in September decreased by 555 persons when compared to the same month last year, the National Statistics Office reported yesterday, basing results on data provided by the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC).
In September 2007, the number of registered unemployed stood at 6,629. When comparing September 2007 with the same month last year, the overall number of unemployed decreased by 555 persons.
In Malta, the registered unemployed amounted to 5,988 persons, whereas in Gozo the registered unemployed amounted to 641. In the 12 months to September, both islands experienced a decline in unemployment (-499 in Malta and -56 in Gozo).
In the 12 months to September 2007, all the age groups showed a decline in the number of registered unemployed with the exception of those aged 45 years and over. Actually, an increase of 107 persons was reported among the registered unemployed aged 45 years and over.
Among men, occupations sought after related to elementary duties and services were the most common, whereas women tended to seek jobs which were clerical or service-oriented.
In June, the registered unemployment rate stood at 4.3 per cent of the labour supply. On a gender basis, the unemployment rate for men stood at 4.9, while the unemployment rate for women stood at 3.1 per cent.
The long-term unemployment rate, referring to people who have been registering for work for more than twelve months, stood at 1.7 per cent.
The unemployment rate among older workers (45 years of age and over) was 3.8 per cent while the unemployment rate among young people (under 25 years of age) stood at 5.5 per cent.In July 2007, the labour supply increased by 166 persons over the same month in 2006. The full-time gainfully occupied population increased by 914 persons, whereas the registered unemployed decreased by 748 persons, so that the labour supply amounted to 147,202 persons. Of these, the full-time gainfully occupied population amounted to 140,870 persons, while the number of registered unemployed amounted to 6,332 persons, the National Statistics Office said yesterday.
Economic sector
In the 12 months to July 2007, the private sector registered an increase of 1,516 persons in full-time employment. Accordingly, the private sector employed 98,287 persons in July 2007. The areas of the private sector which registered the main growth were real estate, renting and business activities and other community, social and personal service activities.
In contrast, full-time employment in the public sector fell by 602. Accordingly, the public sector employed 42,583 persons in July 2007. The public sector is shedding jobs across the board, with the two main exceptions to this trend being the areas of public administration and defence and health and social work.
Employment status
Compared to the corresponding month a year ago, in July 2007 full-time self-employment increased by 201 to reach 16,729 persons. The main increase of self-employed persons occurred in real estate, renting and business activities.
On the other hand, the number of employees went up by 713 to reach 124,141 persons. The areas which registered the main increase in employees were real estate, renting and business activities, and other community, social and personal service activities.
Regional aspects
In July 2007, the full-time gainfully occupied population increased by 877 persons in Malta as well as by 37 persons in Gozo.
Part-time employment
On a year-on-year basis, part-time employment rose by 3,500 to reach 47,489 persons. Among part-timers who also hold a full-time job, there was an increase of 1,491 persons, while the number of those having a part-time job as their primary occupation went up by 2,009 persons.
Apprentices, trainees and students
When comparing the figures for July 2007 and July 2006, it transpires that the number of apprentices, students and trainees dropped by 14.9 per cent.