Official figures show that the number of registered unemployed in Malta increased last May, by 116 (1.6%) when compared to the previous month and by 594 (8.9%) when compared to May 2012.

National Statistics Office figures show that 7,292 persons were registering as unemployed across the country in May.

Over the previous twelve months, the number of registered unemployed increased in both the mainland (by 524 people) and in Gozo (by 70).

The number of registered unemployed over 45 increased by 9.7%, but the number of registered unemployed under 20 actually decreased by 13.3% over the same period.

There was also a significant increase – of 21.5% – in the number of people who have been registered unemployed for over one year: the number now stands at 2,859. Conversely, the number of unemployed persons who had been on the register for less than 21 weeks decreased by 1.4%.

The number of persons with disabilities registering under Part 1 of the unemployment register went up by 10.1% to 521.