Fewer than 1,000 people officially looking for work in Malta

The number of people registered as unemployed in Malta fell to 966 people in April 2023, just three more people than the same period last year.

The increase was recorded among those aged under 20 and those aged between 30 and 44. The overwhelming majority of those registered were mane (70.6 per cent) with the rest being women.

Persons who’ve been registered for work for less than 21 weeks as well as those registered for 21 to 52 weeks increased in April year-on-year. However, the number of persons registered for work for more than a year decreased.

The number of persons with a disability who were registered for work decreased by 14 compared to the previous year, reaching 233 persons. Males accounted for 78.1 per cent of registrants with a disability.

The largest share of those registered for unemployment sought occupations as clerical support workers (27.1 per cent) followed by service and sales workers (16.5 per cent) and technicians and associate professionals (14.4 per cent).

On a regional basis, the 94.7 per cent of those registered unemployed were in Malta, with the rest being in Gozo, of whom there were only 51 individuals.

While low unemployment indicates a dynamic economy, it comes with its own set of challenges, primarily, a workforce shortage coupled with wage inflation and poaching.

The latest SME barometer indicated that the workforce shortage, is the top concern at the moment for employers, even surpassing inflation.

Steps have been taken by Government authorities to speed up processing of work permit applications of third country nationals, however the shortage still persist.