Unemployment fell by 1,500 persons in a quarter

According to Katriin Põlluäär, analyst at Statistics Estonia, there were 48,700 unemployed persons in the first quarter, which is 13,500 persons more than at the same time last year. “It is positive, however, that compared to the three previous quarters, the number of the unemployed still fell. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2020, unemployment declined by 1,500 persons,” said Põlluäär.

The unemployment rate was more than twice the Estonian average in Northeastern Estonia. It was lowest in Central and Southern Estonia. Nearly half of the unemployed had been without work for less than half a year. 13,200 persons had been unemployed for more than a year.

Among 15–74-year-olds, 551,500 persons worked full-time and 89,200 worked part-time. “Men’s employment rate is slightly higher than women’s. At the same time, significantly more women than men work part-time. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2020, working part-time has become more popular,” added Põlluäär.

There were 8,500 underemployed persons. These people work part-time but would like to work more and are available for additional work within two weeks. Inactive persons totalled 286,400. 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 sum of employed and unemployed persons). 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, which Statistics Estonia has been conducting since 1995. Every quarter, 5,000 persons participate in the survey. For the statistical activity, the main representative of public interest is the Ministry of Social Affairs, commissioned by whom Statistics Estonia collects and analyses the data necessary for conducting the 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.

See also the labour market application of Statistics Estonia and the Ministry of Social Affairs at https://tooturg.stat.ee/ (in Estonian).
 

For further information:

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

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