MaltaMedia.com

The National Statistics Office has reported that in the second quarter this year, the Labour Force Survey estimates indicate an increase in the employment over the corresponding quarter of 2009.

During the second quarter of 2010 the number of employed persons was estimated at 165,443 while the number of unemployed stood at 12,089, amounting to 47 per cent and 3 per cent of the total population aged 15 years and over respectively. Nearly half the persons within this age group were inactive, and stood at 174,474.

Of the persons lying within the 15-64 year old age group, 60 per cent were active. The highest activity rates among men and women were recorded within the 25-54 age group. An increase of over 1 percentage point was recorded in the activity rate among men, whereas rates for women registered minor changes.

The employment rate for the second quarter of 2010 was estimated at 56 per cent, with the highest rates being recorded among persons aged 25-54. This increase was mainly attributed to an increase in the male employment rate, which stood at 74 per cent. This also explains the upward shift in activity rates, which was also recorded for this quarter.

The largest share of employed men were engaged in manufacturing activities (18 per cent). There was an equal proportion of men employed in wholesale and retail trade, repairs sector. Similarly, most of the female employed population worked in education-related activities (17 per cent), followed by 15 per cent in wholesale and retail trade, repairs sector.

In general, employed persons were mostly working in service-oriented jobs. This category includes occupations such as hairdressers, waiters and salespersons. Clerical occupations were predominant among female workers, whereas men were mostly engaged in craft-related jobs.

The majority of employed persons, 145,711 or 88 per cent, were working on a full-time basis. On the other hand, an estimated 19,732 persons were engaged in part-time jobs or were working on full-time with reduced hours. In terms of professional status, self-employed persons accounted for over 14 per cent of the total work force.

During the period under review, the average gross annual salary of employees was estimated at €14,408. This amount refers to the basic salary and excludes extra payments such as overtime, bonuses and allowances as explained in the methodological notes. On a sectoral basis, the highest average gross annual salary was recorded in financial intermediation. The highest average salary for employees by main occupation was for legislators, senior officials and managerial occupations, reflecting observed trends.

The majority of unemployed persons were aged 15-24, followed by those in the 45-54 age group. Within the unemployed population, 44 per cent stated that they had been seeking work for 12 months or more.