At 7,443 persons, registered unemployment in August 2009 increased by 1,322 persons when compared to the same month last year.

In August 2009, the number of registered unemployed amounted to 7,443. This included 6,713 persons in Malta and 730 in Gozo. Accordingly, in the twelve months to August 2009, the persons registering for work in Malta increased by 1,288, whilst the persons registering for work in Gozo went up by 34.

When compared to the corresponding month a year ago, the number of male registered unemployed increased by 1,038, whilst the number of female registered unemployed increased by 284. In the twelve months to August 2009, the number of persons aged 45 years and over registering for work increased by 569. On the other hand, the number of registered unemployed aged Under 25 went up by 339.

Between August 2008 and August 2009, those persons who have been registering for work for Under 20 weeks increased by 640 and those whose unemployment spell exceeded the 52 weeks increased by 292.

This release also provides information on the occupations being sought by the unemployed persons. Among men, occupations related to sevices and elementary duties were the most common, whereas women tended to seek jobs which were clerical or service-oriented.

Registered Unemployment Rate: April 2009

In April 2009, the registered unemployment rate stood at 4.7 per cent of the labour supply. On a gender basis, the unemployment rate for men stood at 5.3 per cent, while the unemployment rate for women stood at 3.5 per cent.

The long-term unemployment rate, referring to people who have been registering for work for more than twelve months, stood at 1.5 per cent.

The unemployment rate among older workers (45 and over) was 4.7 per cent while the unemployment rate among young people (under 25) stood at 6.5 per cent

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