Registered unemployment continues to rise year on year

The number of registered unemployed individuals continues to show a year-on-year increase, with the number of unemployed individuals rising by 307.

This was reported in the latest NSO statistics on unemployment, with data provided by Jobsplus showing that unemployment increased by 307 people in July this year when compared with the same month last year.

According to the data, males accounted for 61.7 per cent of registered unemployed individuals, amounting to 814 people, while the remaining 505 were females. Registered unemployment increased across all age groups, with the largest rise recorded among people aged between 30 and 44.

The number of persons with a disability registering for work decreased by 16 people over the same period in 2025. Males accounted for 68.6 per cent of the total number of people with a disability registering for work.

Clerical support workers represented the most sought-after occupation among persons on the unemployment register, accounting for 31.5 per cent of total registrations in July 2026, equivalent to 416 people. This was followed by technicians and associate professionals, who accounted for 16.8 per cent of total registrations, equivalent to 222 people.

Earlier in August, BusinessNow.mt contacted the NSO to establish what was causing the year-on-year increase in registered unemployment. Replying to the newsroom, the NSO said that the observed changes are considered to reflect genuine fluctuations in labour market conditions.

The Chamber of SMEs attributed these changes to employee shortages but said it is currently still monitoring the situation, it explained to this newsroom.