During the first quarter, Labour Force Survey estimates indicate an increase of 1.9 per cent in employment when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2013, the National Statistics Office reported today.

Labour Force Survey estimates indicate that, during the first quarter, total employment stood at 175,630, accounting for almost half the population aged 15 and over. Unemployed persons stood at 11,255 (3.2 per cent) while inactive persons totalled 167,151 (47.2 per cent).

The activity rate for the quarter under review was estimated at 64.8 per cent. When compared to the previous year, the activity rates among men and women increased by 0.8 and 1.3 percentage points respectively. The highest activity rate was recorded among persons aged 25-54 (78.8 per cent).

On average, out of every 100 persons aged 15 to 64, 61 were employed. This rate increased by 0.9 percentage points when compared to the corresponding quarter in 2013. The highest employment rate was recorded among persons aged between 25 and 54, at 75.1 per cent.

Employed men were mostly engaged in wholesale and retail trade, transportation and storage, accommodation and food service activities (29.2 per cent). On the other hand, at 37.0 per cent, employed women were mostly engaged in Public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities.

Self-employed persons accounted for 13.6 per cent of the total employed population. The majority of employed persons worked on a full-time basis and totalled 149,691 (85.2 per cent). An estimated 21,088 (12.0 per cent) had a part-time job as their primary employment. A further 4,851 were working on a full-time with reduced hours basis.

The average gross annual salary of employees for the first quarter was estimated at €16,036. This amount refers to the gross annual basic salary and excludes extra payments such as overtime, bonuses and allowances, as explained in the methodological notes. Average annual salaries varied from €27,561 among managers to €11,312 among elementary staff.

Survey results estimate that the unemployment rate for the first quarter, stood at 6.0 per cent. The largest share of unemployed persons was recorded among persons aged 25 and over. Among unemployed persons, 48.2 per cent stated that they had been seeking work for at least 12 months.

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