Gainfully occupied up by 1.4%, registered unemployed up by 5.5%

During August 2012, the gainfully occupied population increased by 1.4% (2,108) reaching 152,669 persons. At the same time, the number of registered unemployed increased by 5.5% reaching 6,821 persons.

According to the National Statistics Office, during August of last year, the economic activities with the largest year-on-year increases in employment were the arts, entertainment and recreation sector (+11.1%) and the administrative and support service activities sector (+10.2%).

On the other hand, employment in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply dropped by 2.3%.

The private sector engaged 111,760 full-time persons, with the majority being employed within wholesale and retail trade, followed by manufacturing activities.

During August 2012, self-employed numbered 17,867. Of these 29.3% were engaged in wholesale and retail trade-related activities and a further 14.9 per cent were employed on a full-time basis in construction.

Female workers made up 34.6% of the total full-time employed persons, with the majority engaged in Education (17%) and human health and social work activities (14.1%). On the other hand, the economic activities which engaged most of the male full-time population were wholesale and retail trade (15.6%) and manufacturing (15%).

In the twelve months to August 2012, part-time employment went up by 5.4% reaching 56,147 persons. The highest increase in part-time employment was recorded within accommodation and food service activities (+747 persons).

Part-timers who also held a full-time job increased by 4.3%, with the highest increase recorded among females (+8.5%). The number of part-timers whose part-time job is their primary occupation also went up by 6.2%, with the highest increase also recorded among females (+5.7%).