The total number of filled positions dropped by almost 700 last year, according to the latest jobs report released by Government.

The Department of Statistics' Labour Market Indicators, which runs up to August 31, 2009, revealed that the total figure was down at $39,520 in 2009 from $40,213 in 2008.

Women overtook men in terms of median annual gross earnings, up from $54,688 in 2008 to $56,854 last year, while their male counterparts rose to $56,096 from $55,009 over the same period. But men continued to work longer at an average of 36 hours per week during 2009 versus 30.6 hours per week for women.

The average weekly hours worked fell to 34 last year from 36.1 a year previous, as did total weekly hours to 1.3 million from 1.5 million in the corresponding time frame, indicating there is less work available as people leave the Island.

The biggest number of vacancies continued to be in executive secretary and professional accountant positions with 38 and 39 respectively, while the unemployment rate climbed to 4.5 percent in 2009 from 2.1 percent five years previous.

Of the total filled positions Bermudians accounted for 26,789, commanding median annual gross earnings of $53,887. Non-Bermudians made up 9,932 positions earning an average of $66,153 per annum.

Anyone interested in a copy of the LMI report can visit the Department of Statistics, third floor, 48 Cedar Avenue, Hamilton or it can be downloaded from www.statistics.gov.bm