Labour market data for September 2008 indicates that the full-time gainfully occupied population increased by 3,208 while unemployment decreased by 533 when compared to September 2007.

In the month under review, the labour supply increased by 2,675 persons over the corresponding month in 2007. The full-time gainfully occupied population increased by 3,208 persons, whereas the registered unemployed decreased by 533 persons.

In this way, the labour supply amounted to 151,872 persons. Of these, the full-time gainfully occupied population amounted to 145,776 persons, while the registered unemployed amounted to 6,096 persons. The net increase of 3,208 gainfully-occupied persons over the twelve-month period to September 2008 was distributed into 2,304 women and 904 men.

On a year-on-year basis, the full-time gainfully occupied population in the public sector decreased by 609 persons. On the other hand, the full-time gainfully occupied population in the private sector increased by 3,817 persons.

In the twelve months to September 2008, full-time employment increased by 2,868 in Malta and by 340 in Gozo.

Economic activities

In the twelve months to September 2008, the economic activities which registered the main growth in full-time employment were real estate, renting and business activities (NACE 70-74); other community, social and personal service activities (NACE 90-93); and health and social work activities (NACE 85). Accordingly, the sector of real estate, renting and business activities (NACE 70-74) increased its employment by 1,413 persons. On its part, the sector of other community, social and personal service activities (NACE 90-93) gained 473 persons. Health and social work activities (NACE 85) reported an increase of 444 persons.

On the downside, the number of the gainfully occupied persons fell in manufacturing (NACE 15-37) and electricity, gas and water supply (NACE 40-41). In fact, employment in manufacturing dropped by 854 persons, while that in the sector of electricity, gas and water supply dropped by 132 persons.

Self-employment

On a year-on-year basis, the number of self-employed persons increased by 246 to reach 17,112. The two main economic activities in which self-employed persons operate were wholesale and retail trade (NACE 50-52) and construction (NACE 45).

Part-time employment

In the twelve months to September 2008, part-time employment rose by 2,603. Among part-timers who also hold a full-time job, there was an increase of 847 persons, while those having a part-time job as their primary occupation went up by 1,756 persons.

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