Labour market data for August 2007 indicates that the full-time gainfully occupied population increased by 2,227 persons, while unemployment decreased by 582 persons when compared to August 2006, the National Statistics Office reported yesterday, basing the figures on data provided by the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC).

In the month under review, the labour supply increased by 1,645 persons over the same month in 2006. In this way, the labour supply amounted to 148,963 persons. Of these, the full-time gainfully occupied population amounted to 142,373 persons, while the registered unemployed amounted to 6,590 persons.

Economic activities

In the 12-months to August, the economic activities which registered the main growth in full-time employment were real estate, renting and business activities and other community, social and personal service activities. Accordingly, the sector of real estate, renting and business activities increased, with 1,545 persons on its books.

Among other activities, this sector includes accounting and auditing, security services and call centres. On its part, the sector of other community, social and personal service activities reported an increase of 562 persons. Besides other activities, this sector includes betting companies.

A comparison of the figures of August 2006 and August 2007, indicates an expansion in the activities of retail and wholesale trade, hotels and restaurants, and health and social work activities as well. In fact, retail and wholesale trade registered an increase of 300 persons, hotels and restaurants registered an increase of 356 persons, and health and social work activities registered an increase of 327 persons.

On the downside, the number of gainfully occupied persons fell in manufacturing, transport, storage and communication and electricity, gas and water supply. In fact, manufacturing dropped 704 persons, transport, storage and communication dropped 287 persons, and electricity, gas and water supply dropped 134 persons.

Regional aspects

In August 2007, full-time gainfully occupied persons increased by 2,128 persons in Malta, as well as by 99 persons in Gozo.

A regional comparison indicated that the number of full-time gainfully occupied persons in hotels and restaurants increased, both in Malta and Gozo.

On the other hand, when it came to manufacturing, the number of full-time gainfully occupied persons increased in Gozo, whereas in Malta it is on the decline.

Part-time employment

On a year-on-year basis, part-time employment rose by 3,561.

Among part-timers who also hold a full-time job, there was an increase of 1,547 persons, while those having a part-time job as their primary occupation went up by 2,014 persons.