During the second quarter of 2015, Labour Force Survey estimates indicate an increase of 1.8 per cent in employment when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2014, the National Statistics Office said today.

Labour Force Survey estimates indicate that, during the second quarter, total employment stood at 184,871 accounting to more than half the population aged 15 and over. Unemployed persons stood at 10,594 (2.9 per cent) while inactive persons totalled 164,855 (45.8 per cent).

The activity rate for the quarter under review was estimated at 67.6 per cent. The highest activity rate was recorded among persons aged 25-54 (81.2 per cent). When compared to the previous year, the total activity rate increased by 1.2 percentage points.

On average, 64 out of every 100 persons aged between 15 and 64 were employed. The highest employment rate was recorded among persons aged between 25 and 54 and stood at 77.7 per cent. The males’ employment rate for this age bracket was 90.8 per cent while that for females stood at 64.1 per cent.

Employed men were mostly engaged in wholesale and retail trade, transportation and storage, accommodation and food service activities (29.5 per cent). On the other hand, at 40.6 per cent, employed women were mostly engaged in public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities.

Self-employed persons accounted for 13.8 per cent of the total employed population.

The majority of employed persons worked on a full-time basis and totalled 156,603. An estimated 23,617 (12.8 per cent) had a part-time job as their primary employment.  A further 4,651 were working on a full-time with reduced-hours basis.

The average annual basic salary of employees for the second quarter of 2015 was estimated at €16,406. This amount refers to the annual basic salary and excludes extra payments such as overtime, bonuses and allowances, as explained in the methodological notes. The highest average annual basic salary for employees was recorded in information and communication sector. Average annual salaries varied from €28,074 among managers to €11,359 among elementary staff.

The unemployed population Survey results estimate that the unemployment rate for the second quarter of 2015, stood at 5.4 per cent. The largest share of unemployed persons was recorded among persons aged 25 and over. Among the unemployed, 45.7 per cent stated that they had been seeking work for at least 12 months.

PL statement

In a statement the PL lauded the results, saying that these contradicted Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil’s “negativity and pessimism.”

It said the 1.8% increase in employment went hand in hand with the lowest ever recorded unemployment figures. The PL also noted that the average salary had increased by €328, which dismissed Dr Busuttil’s claims that people had less money to spend.

It said the government would not get carried away by these positive results and would continue working so that everyone would feel the effect of this economic growth.

Government statement 

In another statement the government said Malta now has the highest job creation rate ever recorded.  

While the employment rate reached 63.9% in the second quarter of this year, the rate during the same period during the previous legislature was 58.7%, the government said.

The number of workers increased by almost 3,250 over the previous year. This contrasted highly with what used to happen under the PN government, when the increase was almost exclusively in full-time employment, and not part-time. It also noted that women had gained most from the increase in jobs.

The government also lauded the decrease in unemployment, from 5.8% to 5.4%, and the increase in average salaries.