The number of job vacancies remains under 9,000
According to Statistics Estonia, in the last quarter of 2020, there were 8,707 job vacancies in the enterprises, institutions and organisations of Estonia. The number decreased by 16% year on year. More than 7,000 persons left their jobs on the employer’s initiative.
The total number of vacant and occupied posts was 604,046. Manufacturing, trade and education activities held the largest shares in the total number of posts. The most job vacancies were in the economic activities of manufacturing (1,186), education (1,181), and wholesale and retail trade (1,133).
According to Argo Tarkiainen, analyst at Statistics Estonia, the rate of job vacancies in the fourth quarter of 2020 was 1.4%, which is the same as in the third quarter. Of all job vacancies, 40% were in the public sector. “The rate of job vacancies was highest in public administration and defence, followed by financial and insurance activities, and lowest in construction,” said Tarkiainen.
Most of the vacant posts were in Harju county (76%), including Tallinn (66%), followed by Tartu county (7.5%) and Ida-Viru county (6.3%). The rate of job vacancies was highest in Harju and Ida-Viru counties and lowest in Hiiu county.
In the fourth quarter of 2020, 37,503 persons were hired and 44,123 persons left work. Labour turnover (the total number of engaged and left employees), characterising the movement of labour, decreased by 31% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. “The number of employees hired as well as the number of employees who left their job were highest in wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing and construction. Of all the employees who left their job, 7,131 persons, which is 16%, left on the employer’s initiative,” added 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.
See also the website section on wages and salaries and labour costs.
More detailed data have been published in the statistical database.
For further information:
Kaia-Liisa Tabri
Communications Partner
Marketing and Dissemination Department
Statistics Estonia
Tel +372 507 0521