RDVA2401
In 2023 the number of job vacancies reduced by 6.1 %
Data of the Central Statistical Bureau show that in 2023 there were 24.3 thousand job vacancies in Latvia, which is 1.6 thousand vacancies or 6.1 % less than in 2022. In private sector there were 13.5 thousand and in public sector 10.8 thousand job vacancies. Over the year, the number of job vacancies in private sector decreased by 2.1 thousand or 13.4 %, while in public sector – rose by 0.5 thousand or 5.0 %.
Refer to the OSP database: DVB010c , NBB160c
Out of the total number of jobs in Latvia (both occupied and vacant), 2.7 % positions were vacant, of which 3.7 % in public sector and 2.2 % in private sector.
In 2023, compared to 2022, the average number of occupied posts in the country fell by 1.3 thousand or 0.1 %, in private sector by 3.7 thousand or 0.6 %, but in public sector – increased by 2.5 thousand or 0.9 %.
Occupied posts and job vacancies by sector
| Average in 2022, thousand | Average in 2023, thousand | Change, % |
Job vacancies, total | 25.9 | 24.3 | -6.1 |
private sector | 15.6 | 13.5 | -13.4 |
public sector | 10.3 | 10.8 | 5.0 |
Occupied posts, total | 887.7 | 886.5 | -0.1 |
private sector | 603.3 | 599.5 | -0.6 |
public sector | 284.4 | 286.9 | 0.9 |
Over the year, the number of job vacancies went down in almost all occupational groupings – mostly among office workers (18.9 %), craft and related trades workers (17.5 %), as well as service and sales workers, and professionals (15.5 %).
In 2023, out of all job posts the highest share of job vacancies was registered among professionals – 4.4 % and skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers – 3.8 %, where demand for workers has increased, as well as among craft and related trades workers – 3.6 %.
Source of major grouping classification: Classification of Occupations
In 2023 the highest share of job vacancies was registered in public administration – 8.4 %, administrative and support service activities – 4.0 %, mining and quarrying – 3.3 %, construction – 2.9 %, transportation and storage – 2.9 %, as well as health and social care – 2.6 %.
Job vacancies and occupied posts by main kind of economic activity
| Average in 2022 | Average in 2023 | ||||
Job vacancies, thousand | Occupied posts, thousand | Job vacancy rate, % | Job vacancies, thousand | Occupied posts, thousand | Job vacancy rate, % | |
Total | 25.9 | 887.7 | 2.8 | 24.3 | 886.5 | 2.7 |
Agriculture, forestry and fishing (A) | 0.4 | 21.6 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 22.1 | 1.2 |
Mining and quarrying (B) | 0.1 | 3.4 | 4.1 | 0.1 | 3.3 | 3.3 |
Manufacturing (C) | 3.8 | 115.3 | 3.2 | 2.9 | 112.3 | 2.5 |
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (D) | 0.3 | 10.6 | 2.6 | 0.2 | 10.4 | 2.2 |
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities (E) | 0.2 | 6.9 | 2.5 | 0.1 | 6.8 | 2.0 |
Construction (F) | 2.0 | 59.8 | 3.2 | 1.7 | 58.3 | 2.9 |
Wholesale and retail sale; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (G) | 2.6 | 140.1 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 138.3 | 1.8 |
Transportation and storage (H) | 2.2 | 67.4 | 3.2 | 2.0 | 66.8 | 2.9 |
Accommodation and food service activities (I) | 1.0 | 29.7 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 31.3 | 2.5 |
Information and communication (J) | 1.3 | 39.3 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 39.5 | 2.5 |
Financial and insurance activities (K) | 0.4 | 16.4 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 16.7 | 1.9 |
Real estate activities (L) | 0.4 | 27.6 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 27.7 | 1.4 |
Professional, scientific and technical activities (M) | 0.4 | 39.1 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 39.1 | 1.3 |
Administrative and support service activities (N) | 1.3 | 38.6 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 38.9 | 4.0 |
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security (O) | 5.1 | 63.0 | 7.5 | 5.7 | 62.2 | 8.4 |
Education (P) | 1.6 | 96.7 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 95.8 | 1.7 |
Human health and social work activities (Q) | 2.2 | 78.4 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 83.2 | 2.6 |
Arts, entertainment and recreation (R) | 0.4 | 22.4 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 22.6 | 1.2 |
Other service activities (S) | 0.1 | 11.4 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 11.2 | 0.4 |
Regional breakdown of the data shows that in 2023 the largest share of job vacancies was registered in Riga (3.4 % or 20.3 thousand) and the smallest in Vidzeme (1.1 % or 0.9 thousand). In Kurzeme, Zemgale and Latgale the share of job vacancies was the same – 1.4 % (1.2 thousand, 1.0 thousand and 0.9 thousand, respectively).
Among the three Baltic states, the greatest proportion of job vacancies was recorded in Latvia – 2.7 %, followed by Estonia with 2.0 % and Lithuania with 1.8 %.
The sharpest rise in the job vacancy number over the year was observed in Lithuania (5.7 %). In Latvia and Estonia followed with a downturn of 6.1 % 14.0 %, respectively.
Methodological explanations on the number of job vacancies and occupied posts can be found in the official statistics portal website section Occupied posts and job vacancies.
Media requests:
Communication Section
E-mail: media@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 27880666
More information on data:
Santa Maļinovska
Wage Statistics Section
E-mail: Santa.Malinovska@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366666
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