For the fourth quarter of 2009, Labour Force Survey estimates indicate an increase in employment over the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

Labour Status

During the fourth quarter of 2009, the number of employed persons was estimated at 162,918 (46.4 per cent), the number of unemployed persons at 13,022 (3.7 per cent), and the number of inactive persons at 175,007 (49.9 per cent).

Of persons in the 15-64 age bracket, 59.4 per cent were active, that is either working or unemployed. The highest activity rates among men and women were recorded in the 25-54 age group.

The Employed Population

The employment rate for the fourth quarter of 2009 was estimated at 54.9 per cent, with the highest rates being recorded among persons aged between 25 and 54 years.

The majority of employed men were engaged in manufacturing activities, (16.0 per cent), followed by 15.6 per cent in the wholesale and retail trade sector. By contrast, most of the female employed population worked in education-related activities (16.5 per cent), followed by 14.1 per cent in wholesale and retail trade.

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

In terms of professional status, self-employed persons were estimated to make up 12.9 per cent of the total work force. From the aspect of employment type, full-time employed persons were 144,188 or 88.5 per cent of the total, while persons engaged in part-time occupations, together with full-time employed persons working on a reduced-hours basis, comprised 11.5 per cent of total employment.

In the period under review, the average gross annual salary of employees was estimated at €13,907. 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 in the legislators, senior officials and managerial occupations categories.

The Unemployed Population

During 2008 and 2009, an increase in the number of unemployed persons was recorded. The majority were aged between 15 to 24 years, followed by those in the 35-44 age group. Within the unemployed population, 44.0 per cent had been seeking work for 12 months or more.

The unemployment rate for the period under review stood at 7.4 per cent.

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