percent in 2000, according to Government statistics.

Bermudians and guest workers earned a total of $1.7 billion during the year, up from $1.57 billion for 1999.

The same Bermuda Quarterly Bulletin of Statistics for the fourth quarter of 2000 states that there are 37,472 jobs on the Island.

The average wage per job was $45,330.70 for the year -- up by 9.2 percent from 1999 -- when the average wage was $41,495.80 -- and up 18.3 percent from the 1997 figure.

There may be discrepancies in the figures as employment income is collected by the Tax Commissioner and the employment figures by groups is gathered in the Employment Survey.

The only sector out of nine divisions that saw earning fall was the hotel and restaurant sector. This fell by nearly seven percent from $136.9 million in 1999 to $127.4 million in 2000.

The bulletin stated that 3,380 people worked in hotels and 1,795 worked in restaurants, cafe's and bars in 2000 -- a total of 5,175, nearly 14 percent of the workforce.

The bulletin states: "The industry employment level at the end of October 2000 stood at 3,289 employees. In comparison to October 1999 this reflects a drop of 419 fewer workers. The low employment level in the hotel industry continues to reflect the closure of one of the Island's largest tourist resorts, the Marriott Castle Harbour. Additionally, the temporary closure of the Palmetto Bay Hotel for refurbishment also impacted on the overall decline.'' The amount of money earned in the International Business sector leapt 37 percent from $220.6 million to $302.6 million.

This is up 65 percent from 1997, when the total sector earned $183.1 million and is listed as employing 2,667 people.

According to the bulletin, there are 3,216 jobs listed under "international business activity''. Per job, the average wage is just over $94,000 and the sector represents about 8.6 percent of the workforce.

In the related fields of banking, insurance and real estate, the amount of money earned rose from $199.1 million to $212.6 million, a rise of more than six percent.

Employment income in business services also rose, going from $133.9 million to $150.4 million, up more than 12 percent.

The rise in the amount of money earned in the wholesale and retail also went up marginally by three percent from $158.9 million in 1999 to $163.9 million in 2000.

The public administration and defence sector employment income also rose marginally from $245 million last year to $251 million this year, up 2.4 percent.

The amount earned in the construction industry has also risen with the construction boom. It is up 5.5 percent from $105.6 million to $111.4. The number of workers listed in this sector is 2,601.

Transport and Communication also rose fractionally, up 1.7 percent from $78.5 million to $79.8 million.

The category for "all other'' also rose from $292 million to $299.7 million.

CHART Employment Income Year End Totals