93% of new jobs created by private sector

Government today said that the private sector created 93% of new jobs created in the 12-month period ending in February 2015.

Data released by NSO confirms that between February 2014 and February 2015, full-time employment increased by 6,622 persons, out of which 6,180 were generated in the private sector.

In a statement issued today, government said that after accounting for the re-classification to the private sector of the persons working with the public transport operator which was temporarily classified under the public sector during 2014, during the last two years, employment in the private sector increased by over 9,574 - an average of 400 jobs per month.

Government said that the official figures also show that in February 2015, there was also an increase of almost 600 in the number of self employed while in Gozo full-time employment increased by 134.
 
The increase in employment was broad-based with employment growth registered in practically all the main sectors of our economy. Over 12 months, the largest increase in full-time employment were registered in the Administrative sector and in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities sector which increased by 2,589, while in the Construction sector full-time employment increased by 1,111. The Wholesale and Retail sector also registered strong increases of 584 confirming the increasing purchasing power of the Maltese families.
 
Government noted that the Financial and Insurance activities continued to increase, with full-time employment up by 354 while employment in manufacturing increased by 236 in the twelve months between February 2015 and February 2014.

Commenting on these figures, Minister for Finance, Edward Scicluna said: "The labour market is keeping its positive momentum with the private sector being the prime driver. These results reflect the pro-business attitude of this Government which is creating new opportunities and thus creating demand for productive employment as well as the various incentives to make work pay. We are confident that the new investments that have recently been announced will continue to offer further employment opportunities for years to come."