Bermuda's employers reported a 1.7 percent decline in jobs last year compared to 2008.

It was the first decrease in the total number of filled jobs since 2003.

The international business sector saw a seven percent decline in jobs on the Island compared to the previous year while the tourism and construction industries also saw job losses.

But while the number of jobs available on the Island fell, median income rose by three percent.

The Department of Statistics' Job Market Employment Brief, released yesterday, stated: "The effects of the global recession were evident in the local job market with total positions filled in the labour market plummeting by 693 jobs.

"In total, 39,520 jobs were counted in 2009 compared to 40,213 in 2008."

The report also noted that jobs within the hotel industry fell by 223 last year while the construction industry had 161 fewer jobs in 2009 compared to the previous year.

"As the Island entered a recession for the second time within 20 years, 12 of the 16 major industry divisions experienced lower levels of employment compared to 2008," the report stated.

"The unemployment rate for 2009 was 4.5 percent. Leading industry sectors such as international business, construction and business services reported substantial job losses."

The report noted that over the last 25 years the International Business sector has seen significant gains in employment year over year and provided revenue for local businesses.

"However, in 2009 the industry employment level declined to 4,431 jobs due to a loss of 330 positions," it stated. "This reflects a seven percent decline from the 4,761 jobs posted in 2008.

"The drop in the total number of jobs in the international business sector was fuelled by company mergers, job redundancies and business closures during the turbulent year."

In total, Bermuda lost 82 senior and junior accountants posts, 31 office clerk positions and 25 executive secretaries' jobs.

There were also 55 fewer taxi positions on the Island in 2009 compared to the previous year and 66 fewer mason positions.

The number of office clerks on the Island also dropped by 45, while truck driving jobs fell by 43.

When it came to the average salary last year, the report stated: "The 2009 median income earned by all jobholders in companies with ten or more employees was $56,429. This level of income represented a three percent increase in annual employee pay compared to the 2008 estimate of $54,867."