In the first quarter, there were nearly 9,500 job vacancies in Estonia

The total number of vacant and occupied posts was 630,683. The number of vacant posts was the biggest in the economic activities of wholesale and retail trade (1,365), manufacturing (1,243) and education (1,138).

Argo Tarkiainen, analyst at Statistics Estonia, said that 36% of all job vacancies were in the public sector. “Most of the vacant posts were in Harju county (75%), including Tallinn city (65%), followed by Tartu county (8.3%) and Ida-Viru county (6.4%). The rate of job vacancies was the lowest in Jõgeva and Põlva counties,” added Tarkiainen.

In the first quarter of 2021, 51,457 persons were hired and 49,335 persons left work. Labour flows are characterised by labour turnover (the total number of engaged employees and employees who left) which increased by 16% compared to the first quarter of 2020. “The number of employees hired as well as the number of employees who left their job were the highest in wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, and construction. 7,480 employees – 15% of all those who left work – left their job on the employer’s initiative,” noted Tarkiainen.

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 job vacancies 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.

For further information:

Kadri Kütt
Media Relations Manager
Marketing and Dissemination Department
Statistics Estonia
Tel +372 625 9181

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