At 7,588, the registered unemployment in November 2009 increased by 988 persons when compared to the same month last year.

In November 2009, the number of registered unemployed persons amounted to 7,588. This was made up of 6,801 persons in Malta and 787 in Gozo. Accordingly, in the 12 months to November 2009, the number of persons registering for work in Malta increased by 932 (15.9 per cent), while that for Gozo went up by 56 (7.7 per cent).

Over the same period, the number of men on the unemployment register increased by 743 (14.4 per cent), while the number of women went up by 245 (16.9 per cent). This increase in unemployment was manifested in all age groups reaching a peak of 538 persons, or nearly 25 per cent, among persons aged 45 and over.

In the 12 months to November 2009, the number of persons registering for work for under 20 weeks increased by 248 (7.8 per cent). On the other hand, the number of persons who have been registering for at least one year went up by 335 (15.4 per cent).

Occupations related to services and trades were the most sought among men, whereas women tended to seek jobs which were clerical or service-oriented.

Registered Unemployment Rate: July 2009

In July 2009, the registered unemployment rate stood at 4.9 per cent. On a gender basis, the unemployment rate for men stood at 5.6 per cent, while the unemployment rate for women stood at 3.6 per cent.

The long-term unemployment rate, referring to people who had been registering for work for more than 12 months, stood at 1.6 per cent.

The unemployment rate among those aged 45 and over stood at 4.9 per cent while that calculated for the young people (under 25) stood at 6.1 per cent.