There were 12,040 job vacancies in the third quarter
According to Statistics Estonia, in the third quarter of 2023, there were 12,040 job vacancies in the enterprises, institutions and organisations of Estonia. This is 8.7% less than in the same quarter last year. A little under 6,000 persons left their job at the initiative of the employer.
In the third quarter, the total number of vacant and occupied posts was over 612,000. The majority of the posts were in manufacturing, trade, and education. Vacant posts accounted for 1.96% of the total number of posts. The number of job vacancies was the highest in public administration and defence (1,596), education (1,525), and wholesale and retail trade (1,418).
Liina Kuusik, social statistics analyst at Statistics Estonia, said that 37% of all job vacancies were in the public sector. The rate of job vacancies was the highest in public administration and defence, transportation and storage, and human health and social work activities. It was the lowest in manufacturing.
Most of the vacant posts were in Harju county (81%), including Tallinn city (72%), followed by Tartu county (6.6%) and Ida-Viru county (3.6%). The rate of job vacancies was the highest in Viljandi and Harju counties and the lowest in Saare and Hiiu counties.
In the third quarter, 57,405 persons were hired and 62,793 persons left their job. Labour flows are characterised by labour turnover (the total number of engaged employees and employees who left) which decreased by 8% compared with the third quarter of 2022.
“The number of new hires was the highest in education, wholesale and retail trade, and manufacturing. The number of employees who left their job was the biggest in wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, and education. 5,823 employees left their job at the initiative of the employer, which accounted for 9% of all those who left work,” explained Kuusik.
To estimate the number of occupied posts and labour turnover, Statistics Estonia uses the data of the employment register of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. The quarterly average number of vacant and occupied posts is published as at the end of the month. The main representative of public interest for the statistical activity is the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, commissioned by whom Statistics Estonia collects and analyses the data necessary for conducting the statistical activity.
More detailed data have been published in the statistical database.
See also the dedicated section on wages and salaries and labour costs.
When using Statistics Estonia’s data and graphs, please indicate the source.
For further information:
Kai Kaljumäe
Communications Partner
Marketing and Dissemination Department
Statistics Estonia
Tel +372 625 9184
press [at] stat.ee (press[at]stat[dot]ee)