The number of job vacancies increased in the 4th quarter

The rate of job vacancies is the share of job vacancies in the total number of jobs (sum of occupied posts and vacancies).

The rate of job vacancies was the highest in public administration, defence and compulsory social security (2.6%), and the lowest in mining and quarrying (0.1%). Compared to the 4th quarter of 2010, the rate of job vacancies increased the fastest in accommodation and food service activities.

The increase in the number of job vacancies was the biggest in transportation and storage and in accommodation and food service activities, where there were over two times more vacancies, compared to the 4th quarter of 2010.

A third of the job vacancies were in the public sector and two thirds in the private sector. The rate of job vacancies was 1.4% in the public sector and 1.2% in the private sector. The public sector includes companies owned by the state or local government.

Rate of job vacancies, 1st quarter 2005 – 4th quarter 2011

In the 3rd quarter of 2011, more than 76,600 employees were engaged and left their jobs in total – this is 15% more than in the 3rd quarter of 2010.

A job vacancy is a paid post that is newly created, unoccupied or becomes vacant when an employee leaves, and for which the employer is actively trying to find a suitable candidate from outside the enterprise, institution or organisation concerned.

The data are based on the job vacancies and labour turnover survey conducted by Statistics Estonia since 2005. In 2011, the sample included nearly 11,400 enterprises, institutions and organisations.