Number of persons in employment increases by 2,953

In the twelve months to January, the labour supply increased by 1,992 to 153,931 as a result of an increase of 2,953 full-time gainfully occupied persons and a decrease of 961 registered unemployed.

Full-time employment

Between January 2010 and January 2011, the gainfully occupied population in manufacturing went up by 487, or 2.4%. In absolute terms, the largest increases within this sector were registered for the manufacture of rubber and plastic products and the manufacture of electrical machinery and apparatus by 194 and 147 persons respectively.

On the other hand, the main manufacturing sub-sector where employment levels registered a decrease was the manufacture of fabricated metal products by 67 persons.

In the twelve months to January 2011, the number of persons employed in construction fell by 325, or 2.6%. By contrast, employment in real estate, renting and business activities, as well as employment in other community, social and personal service activities  advanced by 1,365 and 492 persons respectively.

Among the number of persons employed in the private sector, 21% were engaged in wholesale and retail trade and an additional 19.7% in the manufacturing industry.

Persons engaged with the public sector were mostly employed in public administration and defence, education and health-related activities.

In January 2011, full-time employment in the private sector went up by 3.0% over the previous year whereas the number of persons engaged with the public sector dropped by 0.4%.

Employment among males and females rose between January 2010 and January 2011. Males accounted for 0.9% of the increase whereas females accounted for 4.4%.

Part-time Employment

When compared to January 2010, total part-time employment rose by 2,825, or 5.8%. Of total part-timers, there were 28,915 persons whose part-time job was their primary occupation and a further 22,402 persons who had a part-time job in addition to their full-time employment.

The major increases in part-time employment over a one-year period were registered in hotels and restaurants and wholesale and retail trade.