At 7,266 persons, registered unemployed in May 2009 increased by 1,248 when compared to the corresponding month last year.

In Malta, the registered unemployed amounted to 6,501 persons, whereas in Gozo these amounted to 765. In the twelve months to May 2009, both Malta and Gozo experienced an increase in unemployment (1,168 in Malta and 80 in Gozo).

The number of males registering for work in the twelve months to May 2009 increased by 943, whilst the number of females increased by 305.

In the twelve months to May 2009, the number of persons registering for work increased across all age groups. The largest increase occurred among those persons aged 45 and over (40.6 per cent). The youngest age group (persons aged under 20) registered an increase of 13.3 per cent.

Between May 2008 and May 2009, persons who had been registering for work for under 20 weeks increased by 894.

Among men, occupations related to elementary duties and tradeswork were the most commonly sought jobs, whereas women tended to seek jobs which were clerical or service-oriented.

The unemployment rates for May 2009 do not feature in this release since the administrative data on the labour supply for this month is not yet available.

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