Labour market data for September 2007 indicates that the full-time gainfully occupied population increased by 2,197 persons, while unemployment declined by 555 persons when compared to September 2006 – the National Statistics Office reported yesterday, basing figures on data provided by the Employment and Training Corporation.

In the month under review, the labour supply increased by 1,642 persons over the same month in 2006. The full-time gainfully occupied population increased by 2,197 persons, whereas the number of registered unemployed decreased by 555 persons.

In this way, the labour supply amounted to 149,050 persons. Of these, the full-time gainfully occupied population amounted to 142,421 persons, while the number of registered unemployed amounted to 6,629 persons.

Economic activities

In the 12 months to September 2007, 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 added 1,477 persons to its books. Among other activities, this sector includes accounting and auditing, security services and call centres. For its part, the sector of other community, social and personal service activities reported an increase of 531 persons. Besides other activities, this sector includes betting companies.

A comparison of the figures for September 2006 and September 2007 indicated an expansion in the activities of hotels and restaurants, health and social work activities, and retail and wholesale trade. In fact, hotels and restaurants registered an increase of 447 persons, health and social work activities registered an increase of 381 persons, and the retail and wholesale trade registered an increase of 272 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 by 827 persons, transport, storage and communication by 219 persons, and electricity, gas and water supply by 136 persons.

Regional aspects

In September 2007, the number of full-time gainfully occupied persons increased by 2,036 persons in Malta, and by 161 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 comes 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 3,493. Among part-timers who also hold a full-time job, there was an increase of 1,507 persons. The number of those having a part-time job as their primary occupation went up by 1,986 persons.