 At the 2001 census, 44.3 per cent of the population were in employment, with 11.5 per cent self-employed, 5.3 per cent unemployed and 20.4 per cent retired.Of those employed, 33.0 per cent worked in the distribution, hotel and catering trades, and 23.5 per cent in public administration, education and health.Porthmadog expanded rapidly as a slate exporting port.