Employment rate in Latvia at 64.5 % in 2025

Results from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) conducted by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that 883.1 thousand people in Latvia, or 64.5 % of the population aged 15–74, were employed in 2025. Compared with 2024, employment rate increased slightly, by 0.6 percentage points ¹, and number of employed persons rose by 5.6 thousand. 

The largest increase in the number of employed persons was recorded in wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, as well as professional, scientific and technical activities.

In 2025, the number of employed persons aged 75–89 was 6.6 thousand. The statistics further in this news release cover persons aged 15–74 (inclusive).

Employed population

(thousand)

Refer to the OSP database: NBL20and NBL020c

Employment rate for young people (aged 15–24) was 30.8 %, representing a rise of 0.9 percentage points compared with 2024. The total number of employed youths stood at 57.6 thousand (56.2 thousand in 2024). 

Increase in the number of employed persons with a second job

In 2025, 45.5 thousand employed held a second job, i.e., had another job in addition to their main job or did odd jobs and earned extra income. Compared with 2024, the number of employed persons with a second job grew by 2.1 thousand (4.8 %) and their share reached 5.2 % (up by 0.2 percentage points).

Women held a second job more often than men (26.3 thousand and 19.2 thousand respectively). Those with a second job mainly worked 1–10 hours per week (39.1 %) and 11–20 hours per week (26.2 %).

Unemployment rate stable at 6.9 %

The number of unemployed persons aged 15–74 (inclusive) totalled 65.8 thousand, increasing by 0.5 thousand (0.7 %) compared with 2024. However, unemployment rate has stood stable at 6.9 % for the past two years.

Unemployment rate for women was still lower than for men, at 6.1 % and 7.7 % respectively.

Number of unemployed persons

(thousand)

Refer to the OSP database: NBB020 and NBB160c

Slight year-on-year rise in the number of long-term unemployed

Compared with 2024, the number of persons who did not have a job for five months or less reduced by 2.6 thousand (totalling 30.9 thousand or 47.3 %), while the number of persons unemployed for 6–11 months grew by 1.7 thousand (totalling 12.2 thousand or 18.7 %). The number of long-term unemployed persons (unemployed for 12 months or more) rose by 1.2 thousand, reaching 22.1 thousand and representing 33.9 % of all unemployed persons (21.0 thousand or 32.3 % in 2024).

Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment

(per cent)

CSB estimate; the totals may not constitute 100 % as the numbers are calculated from unrounded figures.

Youth unemployment rate increased 

Unemployment rate for young people (aged 15–24) was 14.8 %, rising by 1.2 percentage points compared with 2024. Youths made up 10.0 thousand, or 15.2 %, of all unemployed persons. The total number of unemployed youths grew by 1.2 thousand, and their share increased by 1.7 percentage points. 

Decline in the inactive population

In 2025, 30.7 % of the population aged 15–74 were inactive, i.e., were neither in employment, nor actively looking for a job. Inactive population totalled 420.1 thousand, including 162.6 thousand people in the age group 65–74, constituting 38.7 % of the total inactive population. Compared with 2024, inactive population declined by 9.2 thousand people (2.1 %).

Employment and unemployment in Q4 2025 

In Q4 2025, 882.8 thousand people aged 15–74 were employed (down by 9.3 thousand compared with Q3 2025) and employment rate was 64.8 % (down by 0.4 percentage points quarter on quarter). Employment rate for men was 3.3 percentage points higher than for women – 66.5 % and 63.2 % respectively.

The number of employed youths reduced by 9.7 thousand (15.1 %) quarter on quarter and was 54.5 thousand (64.2 thousand in Q3 2025). The employment rate for this age group (15–24 years) fell by 5.1 percentage points and was 29.0 %.

In Q4 2025, 45.1 thousand employed persons (5.1 %) held a second job (up by 8.2 thousand or 22.3 % from 36.9 thousand (4.1 %) in Q3 2025). Second jobs were more common among women than men.

The unemployment rate reached 6.7 % (down by 0.2 percentage points quarter-on-quarter). The number of unemployed persons totalled 63.8 thousand, which is 2.4 thousand (3.6 %) fewer than in Q3 2025. The number of unemployed men reduced by 2.2 thousand (5.8 %) and the number of unemployed women fell by 0.2 thousand (0.8 %).

There were 32.5 thousand persons who did not have a job for five months or less (51.7 % of all unemployed; 28.9 thousand or 44.1 % in Q3 2025), and the number of persons unemployed for 6–11 months totalled 12.3 thousand or 19.6 % (10.5 thousand or 16.1 % in Q3 2025). The number of long-term unemployed persons (unemployed for 12 months or more) declined by 8.1 thousand or 11.2 percentage points and totalled 18.0 thousand (26.2 thousand in Q3 2025). Their share in the total number of unemployed persons made up 28.7 % (39.9 % in Q3 2025).

Unemployment rate for young people was 13.5 %, increasing by 1.4 percentage points quarter on quarter. The total number of unemployed youths reduced by 0.3 thousand and made up 8.5 thousand or 13.3 % of all unemployed persons (13.3 % in Q3 2025).

In Q4 2025, 30.6 % of the population aged 15–74 were inactive (416.8 thousand people). Quarter on quarter, inactive population increased by 6.2 thousand people (1.5 %).

Methodological information

In 2025, LFS covered 19.1 thousand households in which 31.6 thousand people aged 15–89 were interviewed, including 16.7 thousand households with 27.5 thousand people aged 15–74.

In Q4 2025, LFS covered 4.6 thousand households in which 7.7 thousand people aged 15–89 were interviewed, including 4.1 thousand households with 6.7 thousand people aged 15–74.

¹ The numbers are calculated from unrounded figures. 

Media requests:
Public Relations Section
E-mail: media@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 27880666

More information on the data:
Sandra Ceriņa
Social Statistics Data Analysis and Dissemination Section
E-mail: Sandra.Cerina@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366653