Labour market data for July 2008 indicate that the full-time gainfully occupied population increased by 3,574 persons while unemployment decreased by 374 persons when compared to July 2007, according to figures published by the National Statistics Office on Wednesday.

In the month under review, the labour supply increased by 3,200 persons over the corresponding month in 2007. The full-time gainfully occupied population increased by 3,574 persons, whereas the registered unemployed decreased by 374 persons.

In this way, the labour supply amounted to 152,075 persons. Of these, the full-time gainfully occupied population amounted to 146,117 persons, while the registered unemployed amounted to 5,958 persons.

On a year-on-year basis, the full-time gainfully occupied population in the public sector decreased by 495 persons. On the other hand, the full-time gainfully occupied population in the private sector increased by 4,069 persons. The main areas of the public sector which have shed jobs in the twelve months to July 2008 were transport, storage and communication (-548 persons), construction (-196 persons), and electricity, gas and water supply (-118 persons). In contrast, the main increase in the number of full-time gainfully occupied population within the public sector occurred in health and social work (NACE 85).

In the twelve months to July 2008, full-time employment increased by 3,179 in Malta and by 395 in Gozo.

In the twelve months to July 2008, the economic activities which registered the main growth in full-time employment were real estate, renting and business activities (NACE 70-74); othercommunity, social and personal service activities (NACE 90-93); and health and social work activities (NACE 85). Accordingly, the sector of real estate, renting and business activities (NACE 70-74) increased its employment by 1,291 persons. On its part, the sector of other community, social and personal service activities (NACE 90-93) gained 605 persons. Health and social work activities (NACE 85) reported an increase of 493 persons.

On the downside, the number of the gainfully occupied persons fell in manufacturing (NACE 15- 37) and electricity, gas and water supply (NACE 40-41). In fact, manufacturing dropped by 521 persons, while the sector of electricity, gas and water supply dropped by 120 persons.

On a year-on-year basis, the number of self-employed persons increased by 184 to reach 17,013. The main economic activities in which self-employed persons operate were wholesale and retail trade (NACE 50-52) and construction (NACE 45).

In the twelve months to July 2008, part-time employment rose by 2,482. Among part-timers who also hold a full-time job, there was an increase of 959 persons, while those having a part-time job as their primary occupation went up by 1,523 persons.