During March the gainfully occupied population increased by nearly 2 per cent when compared to the corresponding month last year.

Administrative data provided by the Employment and Training Corporation show that over a twelve-month period to March, persons registered as working on a full-time basis increased by 3,022, reaching 154,137.

During the month under review, registered unemployed also increased by 384 persons to 7,350. As a result, the labour supply grew by 3,406 to 161,487.

Full-time employment within the Education sector registered the highest increase when compared to the corresponding month in 2012 (+846 persons). During the same period, the Administrative and Support Service Activities also rose, reaching 788 persons. On the contrary, full-time employment within Construction declined by 395 when compared to March 2012, to 11,672.

Full-time employment within the private sector went up by 2.1 per cent to 112,630. Increases in full-time employment were recorded within Administrative and Support Services (+810) and in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities (+450). During the same period, public sector full-time employment went up by 1.7 per cent, with the highest increase being recorded within Education (+603).

When compared to March 2012, employees working on a full-time basis increased by 2.2 per cent, reaching 136,229. On the other hand, the number of self-employed rose by 0.8 per cent to 17,908.

During March 2013, part-time employment went up by 5.3 per cent, reaching 55,522 persons, when compared to the corresponding month in 2012. The number of part-timers within Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles and Accommodation and food service activities increased by 609 and 439 persons respectively. On the other hand, part-timers in Education dropped by 147 persons.

In March 2013, part-time employees who also held a full-time job increased by 796, with the highest increase being recorded among females (+560 persons).

During this same period, an increase of 1,978 persons was recorded among employees who had a part- time job as their main employmen.

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