Analytics, Employment, Labour-market, Latvia, Markets and Companies

In the private sector at the end of June 2014 there were 0.6 thsd occupied posts, which is 0.1% less than a year ago declining to 585.0 thsd, while in the public sector the number of occupied posts decreased by 1.6 thsd or 0.5% falling to 287.4 thsd.

The most rapid decline in the number of occupied posts was registered in the following sectors: finance and insurance sector – by 3.3% (decrease of 0.4 thsd posts), manufacturing sector – by 3.0% (3.5 thsd posts) and public administration and defence – by 2.8% (1.8 thsd posts).  

The strongest growth in the number of occupied posts was registered in information and communication sector – of 9.4% (increase of 2.2 thsd posts), in health and social work activities – of 6.1% (3.5 thsd posts), and in real estate activities – of 2.7% (0.7 thsd posts).

Changes in number of occupied posts over the corresponding period of the previous year by economic activity*

Data source: Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia

In breakdown by major occupational group, the number of occupied posts rose most rapidly in major group of elementary occupations  – by 5.3% (increase of 5.9 thsd posts), in major group of professionals – by 3.6% (5.2 thsd posts) and in major group of service workers – by 3.1% (4.3 thsd posts).

Changes in the number of occupied posts by major occupational group

Data source: Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia

The number of job vacancies at the end of the first half of 2014, compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, decreased by 0.2 thsd or 4.5%, falling to 3.9 thsd posts, of which 2.3 thsd in the public sector and 1.5 thsd in the private sector.

Job vacancy rate has declined from 0.5% at the end of the June of the last year to 0.4% at the end of the June 2014.

Occupied posts and job vacancies by sector

More detailed information on job vacancies in breakdown by quarter is available in the CSB database.

Explanations

Data on occupied posts and job vacancies are acquired from the quarterly statistical reports on the activities of businesses, individual merchants, state and local government budgetary institutions, foundations, associations and funds, as well as from administrative data sources. Only those peasant and fisherman farms employing 50 and more employees are included.

Data on statistical units of the private sector with fewer than 50 employees, associations and funds are acquired with random sampling, and obtained data with the help of weights are extrapolated on all population. Data are also acquired from several administrative data sources.

In accordance with the survey methodology, job vacancy is defined as a post for which no contract has been signed and no candidate chosen and the employer is taking active steps to find a suitable candidate from outside the enterprise, and which will be filled immediately or within 3 months. The job vacancy rate is calculated in per cent, by dividing the number of job vacancies by the total number of posts (occupied + vacant).

The public sector includes central and local government institutions and commercial companies with central or local government capital participation 50% and more, public organisations and commercial companies thereof.

Absolute changes and percentage changes are calculated from the data not converted into thousands.

* Sections of economic activities of statistical classification NACE Rev. 2:
A Agriculture, forestry and fishing
B Mining and quarrying
C Manufacturing
D Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply
E Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities
F Construction
G Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
H Transport and storage
I Accommodation and food service activities
J Information and communication
K Financial and insurance activities
L Real estate activities
M Professional, scientific and technical activities
N Administrative and support service activities
O Public administration and defence; compulsory social security
P Education
Q Human health and social work activities
R Arts, entertainment and recreation
S Other service activities

** Revised data.