The average gainfully occupied population during the first two months of 2012 increased 1.5 per cent when compared to the corresponding period in 2011.

Administrative data provided by the Employment and Training Corporation indicate that over a period of one year, persons with a full-time job increased in both January and February to 149,946 and 150,166 respectively. Marginal decreases were recorded in the average number of persons registered as unemployed during the two months under review.

Full-Time Employment

During the first two months this year, the economic activities which recorded the highest increases in employment when compared to 2011, were the Human health and social work sector [1,158 in January and 1,152 in February] followed by the Arts, entertainment and recreation sector [366 in January and 392 in February]. On the contrary, employment within Construction decreased by 2.1 per cent in January and 2.4 per cent in February.

Full-time private employment in February increased by 1.9 per cent when compared to the previous year. Increases were mostly recorded in the Transportation and storage sector +595 persons. Over the same period, employment within the public sector went up by 0.6 per cent, with the main increase being recorded in the Human health and social work activities sector (+850 persons).

Female full-time employment during February rose by 2,175 persons or 4.4 per cent The highest increase in employment was recorded in Human health and social work activities (+1,081 persons, 17.4 per cent). Male employment went up by 113 persons, with the highest increase being recorded within the Arts, entertainment and recreation sector (+270 persons). On the other hand, male employment in Construction declined by 2.8 per cent to 11,608.

Part-Time Employment

When compared to the previous year, part-time employment in February increased by 5.3 per cent, reaching 53,005 persons. Part-timers in Accommodation and food service activities also increased by 12.0 per cent to 9,944. During the same period, part-time employment within Public administration and defence; compulsory social security decreased by 393.

In Feburary part-timers who also held a full-time job increased by 3.5 per cent, with the highest increase being recorded among females (+468). During this same period, an increase of 6.7 per cent was also recorded among persons who were working only on part-time basis, with the highest increase being recorded among females (+1,022).

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