Employment rises slightly – NSO labour force survey

Figures released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) reveal that during the third quarter of 2010, the number of employed persons was estimated at 165,152 (47 per cent), the number of unemployed persons stood at 12,054 (4 per cent), while inactive persons numbered 172,442 (49 per cent).

The survey also says that percentage of employed individuals holding down full-time jobs as their main occupation decreased by 1.1 per cent, while those employed full-time but with reduced hours increased by 0.4 per cent and part-time employees increased by 0.8 per cent, when compared to the same period last year.

The duration of job searches also increased, according to the survey, as those searching more than 12 months for a job increased by 5.3 per cent, while those spending less than five months looking for a job decreased by 7.9 per cent. Those spending between 6 to 11 months job searching increased by 2.6 per cent.

The proportion of those employed made up by women stands at 32.7 per cent, an increase of 1.9 per cent over the previous year.

In the statement, the NSO said that of all persons aged 15-64, 61 per cent were active, with the highest activity rates recorded in the 25-54 age group for both sexes.

The largest share of employed men were engaged in manufacturing activities (18 per cent), followed by 16 per cent in the wholesale and retail trade sector. Among the female employed population, 16 per cent worked in education-related activities, and an additional 14 per cent were employed in wholesale and retail trade.

In general, employed persons were mostly engaged in service-oriented jobs. This category includes occupations such as hairdressers, waiters and salespersons. Service-oriented occupations were predominant among female workers (22 per cent), whereas men were mostly engaged in craft-related jobs (17 per cent).

The majority of employed persons (144,131), were working on a full-time basis. On the other hand, an estimated 21,021 were engaged in part-time jobs or were working on full-time with reduced hours. In terms of professional status, self-employed persons accounted for 14 per cent of the total work force whereas employees comprised 86 per cent of total employed.

During the period under review the average gross annual salary of employees was estimated at €14,466. On a sectoral basis, the highest average gross annual salary for employees was recorded in the financial intermediation sector, while the highest average salary by main occupation was recorded among legislators, senior officials and managerial occupations.

The unemployment rate for the third quarter of 2010 was estimated at 6.8 per cent. The rate for males was 6.9 per cent whereas the female unemployment rate was 6.6 per cent. Within the unemployed population, 52 per cent stated that they had been seeking work for 12 months or more.