In May 2008, the number of registered unemployed stood at 6,018. Compared to the corresponding month a year ago, the overall number of unemployed fell by 562 persons.

In Malta, the registered unemployed amounted to 5,333 persons, whereas in Gozo the registered unemployed amounted to 685. In the twelve months to May 2008, Malta experienced a decline in unemployment, whereas Gozo has seen a rise on this count (-593 in Malta and 31 in Gozo).

In the twelve months to May 2008, all the age groups showed a decline in the number of registered unemployed, with the exception of the category of persons aged 45 years and over.

Between May 2007 and May 2008, the persons who have been on the unemployment register for 53 weeks and over dropped by 406.

This release also provides information on the occupations being sought by the unemployed. Among men, occupations related to elementary duties and plant and machine operations were the most common, whereas women tended to seek jobs which were clerical or service-oriented.

The unemployment rates for May 2008 are not available since the data on the labour supply for this month are not yet available.

Registered Unemployment Rate: January 2008

In January 2008, the registered unemployment rate stood at 4.3 per cent of the labour supply. On a gender basis, the unemployment rate for men stood at 4.7, whilst the unemployment rate for women stood at 3.4 per cent.

The long-term unemployment rate, referring to people who have been registering for work for more than twelve months, stood at 1.5 per cent.

The unemployment rate among older workers (45 years of age and over) was 3.8 per cent while the unemployment rate among young people (under 25 years of age) stood at 5.1 per cent.