In February, the number of registered unemployed stood at 7,852. Compared to the corresponding month in 2009, unemployment grew by 751 persons, or 10.6 per cent. Similarly, the number of registered unemployed increased by 94 persons, or 1.2 per cent, when compared to January.

In Malta, registered unemployed totalled 7,059 persons, whereas in Gozo the registered unemployed amounted to 793. In the twelve months to February 2010, both Malta and Gozo saw a rise in unemployment (743 persons in Malta and 8 in Gozo). The overall rise in the number of registered unemployed in Malta was the result of an increase of 632 men and 111 women. In Gozo, the increase was of 4 men and 4 women.

In the twelve months to February 2010, all age groups showed an increase in the number of registered unemployed. The largest change was registered within the age group of those persons aged 45 and over with an increase of 454 persons or 18.5 per cent.

Between February 2009 and February 2010, those on the unemployment register for over one year increased by 450, or 20.2 per cent. On the other hand, those persons registering for employment for up to 20 weeks increased by 69, or 2.0 per cent. This release also provides information on the occupations being sought by the unemployed. Among men, occupations related to services and trades were the most common, whereas women sought more clerical or service-oriented jobs.

Registered Unemployment Rate: September 2009

In September 2009, the registered unemployment rate stood at 4.9 per cent of the labour supply. On a gender basis, the unemployment rate for men stood at 5.6 per cent, while that calculated 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 1.6 per cent.

The unemployment rate among older workers (45 years of age and over) was 4.9 per cent while that among young people (under 25 years of age) stood at 5.9 per cent.

Permalink: Unemployment figures up in February by 751 persons