Registered unemployed dropped by 892 to 6,960 in February when compared to the corresponding month last year, but rose by 163 over the previous month.
In February, the number of persons registering for work in the Maltese Islands amounted to 6,960: 6,218 in Malta and 742 in Gozo. In the twelve months to February, both Malta and Gozo registered decreases in the registered unemployed by 841 and 51 persons respectively. Nearly 80 per cent of the persons registering for work were men.
Those registering for work for less than 20 weeks decreased by 233, or 6.7 per cent, while those who had been registering for work for more than one year dropped by 301, or 11.3 per cent.
Most unemployed men were seeking occupations related to services, sales and crafts, whereas women sought service-oriented and clerical occupations.
In October 2010, the registered unemployment rate (excluding part-timers) stood at 4.4 per cent of the labour supply. This rate stood at 5.1 per cent for men and 2.8 per cent for women. The registered unemployment rate among workers aged 45 and over stood at 4.6 per cent, while that in respect of those aged less than 25 stood at 5.1 per cent
The unemployment rate of persons who had been registering for work for at least one year under Part 1 of the unemployment register remained at par with last years’ figure, at 1.6 per cent. This rate stood at 2.0 and 0.8 per cent among men and women respectively.