Effects of population changes on Maltese labour market 1967-1985

Abstract

The study aims at providing reliable labour market estimates which will enable planners to assess the economy's productive potential (labour supply) and thereby assess the opportunities available for increasing employment. It would also help to formulate public policies with the aim of stimulating employment and thereby reducing unemployment. The discussion of the main variable - population - will be given in Chapter Two which gives a detailed investigation of the changing structure of the Maltese population aver the 18-year period. In Chapter Three, we shall discuss the Labour Market changes and developments over the period in question. Several interesting facts will be brought to the reader's attention including female participation and employment, the 'Discouraged Worker' effect, the 1979 British Services Facilities Closure, role of Government as employer, Parastatal and Private sectors, and employment status of the gainfully occupied. A brief description of the relationship between population and labour force will be given in Chapter Four. The relationship will be shown in terms of ratios and by use of diagrams. Of particular interest is the question of dependency. A complete model will be given in Chapter Five, which methodology will be described further dawn. Further data description and calculations will be given in accordance with the model. We shall analyse whether the results produced are satisfactory in terms of 'a priori' expectations and in terms of statistical and econometric tests. The concluding chapter will be concerned with the interpretation of the results obtained as well as suggestions regarding policy implementations.