Labour market data for October 2007 indicate that the full-time gainfully occupied population increased by 2,787 persons while unemployment decreased by 512 persons when compared to October 2006.

This news release presents labour market data, provided by the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC), for the month of October 2007. In the month under review, the labour supply increased by 2,275 persons over the same month in 2006.

The full-time gainfully occupied population increased by 2,787 persons, whereas the registered unemployed decreased by 512 persons.

In this way, the labour supply amounted to 149,390 persons.

Of these, the full-time gainfully occupied population amounted to 142,731 persons, while the registered unemployed amounted to 6,659 persons.

Economic activities

In the 12 months to October 2007, the economic activities which registered the main growth in full-time employment were real estate, renting and business activities; hotels and restaurants; and other community, social and personal service activities.

Accordingly, the sector of real estate, renting and business activities increased 1,410 persons on its books. Among other activities, this sector includes accounting and auditing, security services and call centres. On their part, hotels and restaurants reported an increase of 535 persons. Once again, the sector of other community, social and personal service activities increased 508 persons. Besides other activities, this sector includes betting companies.

On the downside, the number of the gainfully occupied persons fell in manufacturing; electricity, gas and water supply (NACE 40-41); and transport, storage and communication. In fact, manufacturing dropped 824 persons; electricity, gas and water supply dropped 127 persons; and transport, storage and communication dropped 115 persons.

Regional aspects

In October 2007, the full-time gainfully occupied persons increased by 2,561 persons in Malta as well as by 226 persons in Gozo.

A regional comparison indicates that the number of full-time gainfully 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 employed 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 3,719. Among part-timers who also hold a full-time job, there was an increase of 1,479 persons.

Also those having a part-time job as their primary occupation went up by 2,240 persons.