During the last quarter of last year, Malta registered the biggest increase in the EU in terms of work opportunities. It is now only Germany which is proportionate to Malta in this sector, according to Eurostat statistics issued today - the statistical office of the European Union.

The job vacancy rate in the euro area was 1.8% in the fourth quarter of 2014, up from 1.6% recorded both in the previous quarter and in the fourth quarter of 2013, according to figures. Malta's was 2.5%.

This was stated in a statement issued by the government soon after the statistics were issued.

Statistics also show that in the last quarter of 2014, wages in Malta increased to 2.1%.

The government said that the statistics confirm that the measures implemented in this sector, including the Youth Guarantee Programme, the free childcare service, and the in-work benefits are bearing their fruit.