In the 3rd quarter unemployment decreased

According to the data of the Labour Force Survey, the estimated number of unemployed persons, which was 71,000 in the 2nd quarter of the current year, decreased by 3,000 persons in the 3rd quarter. The unemployment rate was 9.7% in the 3rd quarter, which is smaller compared to the previous quarter as well as to the same quarter of the previous year, when the unemployment rate was 10.2% and 10.9%, respectively. The unemployment rate was below 10% last in 2008.

The unemployed who had been looking for a job for one year or more (long-term unemployed) numbered 36,000 in the 3rd quarter of the current year, of whom 23,000 had been looking for a job for two years or more (very long-term unemployed). The share of long-term unemployed among the unemployed has decreased compared to the 3rd quarter of the previous year, but has slightly increased compared to the previous quarter. 52% of the unemployed had been unemployed for one year or more in the 2nd quarter, but in the 3rd quarter the share of them increased to 53%. The share of very long-term unemployment was 34%, which is bigger than in the previous quarter (33%) as well.

In the 3rd quarter of the current year, the employed persons numbered 634,000, which is by 10,000 or 1.6% more compared to the previous quarter. By economic activities the growth in employment was most of all influenced by construction and manufacturing. The employment increased partly due to a growing number of seasonal and other temporary jobs typical of the 3rd quarter as well. Compared to the same quarter of the previous year, the number of employed persons increased by 1.1% and employment increased only in services sector.

Due to the growth in employment the number of unemployed as well as economically inactive persons decreased. The economically inactive persons (students, retired persons, homemakers, discouraged persons, etc.) aged 15–74 numbered 322,000 in the 3rd quarter, which is by 7,000 less compared to the previous quarter and by 3,000 less than a year ago. The number of pension-aged inactive persons decreased the most during the year. Discouraged persons, i.e. persons who have stopped seeking for a job numbered near 7,000 in the 3rd quarter, which is less than a year ago, but slightly more than in the previous quarter.

Persons aged 15–74 by labour status, 1st quarter 2000 – 3rd quarter 2012

The unemployment rate is the share of the unemployed in the labour force (the sum of employed and unemployed persons). The estimates are based on the data of the Labour Force Survey. Statistics Estonia has been conducting the Labour Force Survey since 1995 and every quarter 5,000 persons participate in it. The Labour Force Survey is carried out by statistical organisations in all the European Union Member States on the basis of harmonised methodology.