In the 1st quarter, the number of job vacancies increased

The rate of job vacancies, i.e. the share of job vacancies in the total number of jobs (the sum of occupied posts and vacancies) was 1.3% in the 1st quarter of 2014.

The rate of job vacancies was the highest in other service activities (3.3%) and the lowest in real estate activities (0.04%). Other service activities include laundries, dry cleaning, beauty services, repair of computers and personal goods etc.

Manufacturing had the highest share of posts (19%) in the total number of posts, while the share of posts for other service activities was only 1%.

The increase in the number of job vacancies was the biggest in accommodation and other service activities, where there were 2.4 times more vacancies compared to the 1st quarter of 2013.

66% of job vacancies and 55% of occupied posts were in Harju county (incl. Tallinn). The rate of job vacancies was also the highest in Harju county (1.6%) and the lowest in Hiiu county (0.04%).

24% of the job vacancies were in the public sector and 76% in the private sector. The rate of job vacancies was 1.2% in the public sector and 1.4% in the private sector. The public sector also includes companies owned by the state or local government.

Rate of job vacancies, 1st quarter 2005 – 1st quarter 2014

In the 4th quarter of 2013, a total of 62,000 employees were engaged and left their jobs (labour turnover). The labour turnover decreased by 1.5% compared to the 4th quarter of 2012.

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 2014, the sample included 12,267 enterprises, institutions and organisations.