In July, private sector employment increased by 2.2 per cent, while the number of persons employed in the public sector continued to decline, according to data from the National Statistics Office today.

In the twelve months to July 2012, the gainfully occupied population increased by 2,045, or 1.4 per cent, to 152,618. On the other hand, the number of registered unemployed went up by 154, or 2.4 per cent, to 6,664. Accordingly, the labour supply went up by 2,199, or 1.4 per cent, to 159,282.

When compared to July 2011, women employed on a full-time basis increased by 1,723 or 3.4 per cent, while men rose by 322 or 0.3 per cent. The increase in female employment was mainly recorded in Human health and social work activities, Administrative and support service activities and Education with increases of 369, 305, and 271 respectively.

On the other hand, women employed in Manufacturing decreased by 39. On their part, men employed in Arts, entertainment and recreation and Administrative and support service activities increased by 348 and 308 respectively, while men employed in Construction decreased by 347.

In line with past trends, the private sector continued to employ more persons within its fold, while the number of persons employed in the public sector continued to decrease. Accordingly, persons employed in the private sector went up by 2,378, or 2.2 per cent, while persons employed in the public sector declined by 333, or 0.8 per cent.

In July 2012, the single economic sector with the highest number of full-time gainfully occupied persons was Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles with 23,445 persons. Manufacturing provided full-time employment for 19,583 persons, while Education, and Human health and social work activities employed 13,662 and 12,449 respectively. Collectively, these four economic sectors employed nearly half the total full-time gainfully occupied population, or 45.3 per cent.

Year-on-year, Administrative and support service activities, Arts, entertainment and recreation, and Human health and social work activities added 613, 485 and 432 respectively. On the other hand, Construction and Manufacturing shed 320 and 254 persons respectively.

In the twelve months to July, part-time employment increased by 2,909 or 5.5 per cent. The largest increase comprised persons whose part-time job was their primary occupation. Accordingly, part- timers increased by 1,832, or 6.0 per cent, while part-timers whose part-time job was their secondary occupation went up by 1,077, or 4.7 per cent.

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