Unemployment fell by 7,400 persons in a quarter
According to Statistics Estonia, in the third quarter of 2021, the labour force participation rate was 71.5%, the employment rate was 67.4%, and the unemployment rate was 5.7%.
In the third quarter, there were 39,900 unemployed persons, which is 7,400 persons less compared to the previous quarter. There were 23,100 unemployed men and 16,800 unemployed women, and a half of them have been unemployed for less than six months.
Katriin Põlluäär, analyst at Statistics Estonia, said that unemployment is steadily moving towards the pre-crisis levels. “During the pandemic last year, unemployment rose by around 20,000 persons, but the last quarters have shown a steady decrease in unemployment numbers. There is still progress to make to reach the pre-pandemic level when the unemployment rate fluctuated between four to five percent, but we are close to it. Of course, an unknown factor is the effect of the coronavirus in the coming months,” added Põlluäär.
In the third quarter, the unemployment rate was 5.7%, which is the lowest this year. “The last time that the rate was so low was in the first quarter of last year, when it was 5.1%. However, just a year ago, the unemployment rate was 7.6%,” explained Põlluäär.
Employed persons in the age group 15–74 numbered 657,600 in the third quarter. “This figure also shows movement towards the pre-crisis situation. Last year, at the same time, there were 652,000 employed persons,” added Põlluäär. In the third quarter, 87% of the employed worked full-time. There were 86,000 persons who worked part-time. More than a half, i.e. 68%, of part-time workers were women.
In the third quarter, the number of underemployed persons, i.e. persons who work part-time but would like to work more and are available for additional work within two weeks, was 4,900, which is the lowest number in recent years.
Inactive persons on the labour market totalled 278,300. The main reasons for inactivity were retirement, studies and illness or disability.
The unemployment rate is the share of the unemployed in the labour force.
The employment rate is the share of the employed in the population aged 15–74.
The labour force participation rate shows the share of the labour force in the population aged 15–74.
The estimates are based on the data of the Labour Force Survey conducted by Statistics Estonia since 1995. Every quarter, 5,000 persons participate in the survey. The main representative of public interest for the survey is the Ministry of Social Affairs, commissioned by whom Statistics Estonia collects and analyses the data required for this statistical activity. Due to the requirements of the Integrated European Social Statistics (IESS) regulation, as of 2021, the Estonian Labour Force Survey is based on a new methodology.
More detailed data have been published in the statistical database.
For further information:
Vahur Koorits
Communications Partner
Marketing and Dissemination Department
Statistics Estonia
Tel +372 625 9204