Malta’s labour market remained resilient in June 2025, with unemployment figures continuing their downward trajectory, according to newly published data from Jobsplus, reported by the National Statistics Office (NSO).
A year-on-year analysis revealed a net decrease of 174 persons on the unemployment register, comprising 151 fewer individuals under Part I (actively seeking full-time work) and 23 fewer under Part II (part-time or flexible work seekers).
Gender and age trends highlight structural shifts
The gender breakdown remains skewed towards male registrants, who represented 68.5% of the total, while females accounted for 31.5%. This imbalance, although historically typical, may point to persistent gender gaps in certain sectors, particularly those undergoing digital and industrial transformation.
Significantly, the most notable decline was observed among individuals aged 45 and over, with a drop of 76 persons – a 15.5% year-on-year decrease. Analysts interpret this as a positive sign that older workers are re-entering employment, possibly supported by upskilling schemes or increased demand in sectors like administration, retail, and logistics.
Sharp drop in short-term unemployment
All three registration duration categories recorded declines, with the under-21-weeks category showing the largest fall – down by 130 persons compared to June 2024. This suggests that more jobseekers are finding employment within a shorter time frame, a key indicator of labour market dynamism.
The mid-term (21 to 52 weeks) and long-term (over 52 weeks) categories also posted small but meaningful drops = each exceeding 20 fewer registrants. While long-term unemployment remains a structural challenge in many EU countries, Malta’s figures signal an encouraging trend of reduced job search stagnation.
Unemployment among persons with disabilities falls
Another notable highlight is the reduction in jobseekers with disabilities. In June 2025, 216 persons with disabilities were on the unemployment register, a decline of 30 compared to the previous year. The majority – 76.4% – were male, which may reflect the demographic composition of those registered or barriers faced by disabled women in accessing employment.
Clerical work in high demand
Occupational preference data shows a continued trend: clerical support roles were the most sought-after among both male and female registrants. 27% of male and 36.4% of female jobseekers expressed interest in these roles. This could reflect perceptions of stability, skill alignment, or ease of entry associated with such occupations, particularly for individuals seeking to re-enter the workforce.
Labour market outlook remains positive
The steady decline in registered unemployment, especially in short-term categories and among older workers and persons with disabilities, suggests continued robustness in Malta’s labour market. However, challenges remain in addressing gender disparities, occupational clustering, and long-term unemployment.
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