MaltaMedia.com

Labour market data for November 2008 indicate that the full-time gainfully occupied population increased by 2,217 persons while unemployment decreased by 23 persons when compared to November 2007, new NSO data revealed on Tuesday.

In the month reviewed, the labour supply increased by 2,194 persons over the corresponding month in 2007 amounting to 152,017 persons. Of these, the full-time gainfully occupied population amounted to 145,417 persons, while the registered unemployed amounted to 6,600 persons.

The net increase of 2,217 gainfully-occupied persons over the twelve-month period to November 2008 was distributed into 1,882 women and 335 men. On a year-on-year basis, the full-time gainfully occupied population in the public sector decreased by 1,029 persons. On the other hand, in the private sector, it increased by 3,246 persons. In the twelve months to November 2008, full-time employment increased by 1,871 in Malta and by 346 in Gozo.

In the twelve months to November 2008, the economic activities which registered the main growth in full-time employment were real estate, renting and business activities; wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and personal and household goods; and health and social work.

Accordingly, the sector of real estate, renting and business activities increased its employment by 1,377 persons. On its part, wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and personal and household goods registered an increase of 453 persons. In addition, health and social work increased its employment by 349.

On the downside, the number of gainfully-occupied persons fell in manufacturing and electricity, gas and water supply. In fact, manufacturing dropped by 1,142 persons, while the sector of electricity, gas and water supply dropped by 134 persons.

On a year-on-year basis, the number of self-employed persons increased by 232 to reach 17,149. The two main economic activities in which self-employed persons operate were wholesale and retail trade and construction.

In the twelve months to November 2008, part-time employment rose by 2,117. Among part-timers who also hold a full-time job, there was an increase of 559 persons, while those having a part-time job as their primary occupation went up by 1,558 persons.