Labour market data for December 2007 indicates that the full-time gainfully occupied population increased by 3,183 persons while unemployment decreased by 989 persons when compared to December 2006.

In the month under review, the labour supply increased by 2,194 persons over the same month in 2006. The full-time gainfully occupied population increased by 3,183 persons, whereas the registered unemployed decreased by 989 persons.

In total, the labour supply amounted to 149,008 persons. Of these, the full-time gainfully occupied population amounted to 142,836 persons, whilst the registered unemployed amounted to 6,172 persons.

Economic activities

In the twelve-months to December 2007, the economic activities which registered the main growth in full-time employment were real estate, renting and business activities (NACE 70-74); hotels and restaurants (NACE 55); and other community, social and personal service activities (NACE 90-93). Accordingly, the sector of real estate, renting and business activities (NACE 70- 74) increased 1,517 persons on its books. Among other activities, this sector includes accounting and auditing, security services and call centres. On their part, hotels and restaurants (NACE 55) reported an increase of 609 persons, as illustrated in Table 1. Once again, the sector of other community, social and personal service activities (NACE 90-93) increased by 517 persons. Besides other activities, this sector includes betting companies.

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 858 persons, whilst the sector of electricity, gas and water supply dropped 135 persons.

Self-employment

On a year-on-year basis, the number of self-employed persons increased by 251 to reach 16,806 persons. The main economic activities in which the self-employed persons operate are wholesale and retail trade (NACE 50-52) and construction (NACE 45).

Part-time employment

In the twelve months to December 2007, part-time employment rose by 3,639. Among part-timers who also hold a full-time job, there was an increase of 1,589 persons. Those having a part-time job as their primary occupation went up by 2,050 persons.